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.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pennsylvania NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project start | September 19, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $659,676 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA277037-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-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.
-
High-resolution label-free imaging to predict outcomes in early triple-negative breast cancer
This work uses a special label-free imaging method to read tiny metabolic differences inside early-stage triple-negative breast tumors to help predict the chances of the cancer coming back.
-
Using advanced imaging to predict outcomes in early-stage triple negative breast cancer
This study is exploring a new imaging technique that looks at the unique metabolism of early-stage triple negative breast cancer tumors to help doctors understand how the cancer might behave and create personalized treatment plans for patients.
-
Genomic study to understand how genetics and epigenetics shape triple-negative breast cancer in African ancestry
This study looks at how inherited genes and gene activity affect triple-negative breast cancer in people of African ancestry to better understand why outcomes can be worse.
-
Co-Targeting IL-6 and CDK4/6 to Prevent TNBC in Women Veterans
A study aims to block two cancer-promoting pathways (IL-6 and CDK4/6) to prevent or reduce progression of triple-negative breast cancer in women veterans.
-
Linking heavy metal exposure to a tougher breast cancer type (TNBC)
Aimed at understanding how heavy metals like cadmium might trigger a dangerous breast cancer type (TNBC) in people, especially those with BRCA1 risk, to identify possible future treatment strategies.
-
Dormancy in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer: How Liver and Skin Metastases Go Quiet or Reactivate
Researchers will study how dormant cancer cells in liver and skin metastases of triple-negative breast cancer become quiescent or wake up, using organ-on-chip models and single-cell analysis to map chromatin states.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.