MetaboCore: A quick needle-biopsy test to guide drug choices for solid tumors
Official title: MetaboCore: Needle biopsy assay of drug sensitivity for solid tumors.
Funded at University of Washington · NIH-11415590 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A fast, tissue-based test from a needle biopsy helps doctors pick the best drugs for a patient’s solid tumor.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Washington NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project start | September 19, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $388,418 |
| NIH project number | 5U01CA281433-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11415590 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with solid tumors who are undergoing needle biopsy as part of their care.
✕Less likely to help
Patients whose tumors do not yield sufficient tissue for testing or whose treatment choices are already clear may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project aims to turn a fresh tumor biopsy into a practical, same-visit drug-sensitivity readout. Using an organotypic culture and a single-cell metabolic assay, clinicians could see how a tumor responds to medications within about a week. The team will develop a standard operating procedure to ensure results are reliable across different samples and settings. Results would directly support oncologists in choosing therapies that are more likely to work for individual patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could receive more effective therapies sooner with fewer ineffective options.
How similar studies have gone: Previous models exist (organoids, PDX) but have practical limitations; this study aims to translate a biopsy-based assay into routine clinical use.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Washington
Seattle, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Yeung, Raymond — University of Washington
- Study coordinator: Yeung, Raymond
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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.