NIH-funded research R01 grant

Label-Free Optical Redox Imaging to Predict Outcomes in Early-Stage Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

Official title: Label-Free Optical Redox Imaging for Pretreatment Prognosis of Early-Stage Triple Negative Breast Cancer

Funded at University of Pennsylvania · NIH-11402679 · Data updated 2026-11-12

A new imaging approach uses intrinsic signals to spot metabolic differences in untreated early-stage TNBC tumors to help predict how the cancer may behave.

More Breast Cancer research and trials

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Pennsylvania
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Philadelphia, United States)
Project startSeptember 19, 2023
Project endAugust 31, 2028
Funding year2026
Award (this year)$659,676
NIH project number5R01CA277037-04
Project IDNIH-11402679 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Adults with early-stage triple-negative breast cancer who have not yet received treatment.

Less likely to help

Patients with other breast cancer subtypes or advanced disease may not directly benefit from this specific TNBC-focused imaging approach.

What this research studies

This project uses Optical Redox Imaging to capture bright signals from NADH and Fp in tumor tissue at high resolution, aiming to identify metabolic subtypes that could signal which tumors are more likely to progress. By analyzing pretreatment samples in early-stage TNBC, researchers hope to link redox patterns with future outcomes. The work relies on advanced imaging available at the Britton Chance Laboratory to visualize metabolic heterogeneity within tumors. Findings could guide clinicians on prognosis and personalized treatment decisions for TNBC patients.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the approach could improve prediction of disease progression and tailor treatment plans for TNBC patients.

How similar studies have gone: Preliminary data suggest redox imaging hotspots may correlate with progression risk in TNBC, indicating potential for this approach, though broader validation is needed.

Where this research is happening

  • University of Pennsylvania
    Philadelphia, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Li, Lin Z — University of Pennsylvania
  • Study coordinator: Li, Lin Z

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.