Metastatic spine cancer care with a new injectable bone cement
Official title: Metastatic Spine Tumors: Minimally Invasive Fracture Risk Analysis and Treatment - Master
Funded at Mayo Clinic Rochester · NIH-11294278 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A Mayo Clinic research team is testing a new injectable cement to strengthen bones in people with cancer that has spread to the spine, aiming to prevent or repair fractures with less invasive treatment.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Mayo Clinic Rochester NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Rochester, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2008 |
| Project end | January 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $397,714 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AR056212-14 |
| Project ID | NIH-11294278 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with cancer that has spread to the spine who are at risk of vertebral fracture or who already have spinal fractures.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without spine involvement from cancer or those not eligible for minimally invasive approaches may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project focuses on improving how doctors decide spine stability and how to treat weakened vertebrae from cancer. It develops a new injectable cement that can harden inside the bone using a safe, catalyst-free process and aims to be more biocompatible and easy to use. The work includes testing the cement’s ability to prevent fractures and fix existing ones in cadaver models to simulate real-life conditions. The ultimate goal is to give patients a minimally invasive option that preserves function and reduces surgical risk.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients with metastatic spine disease could experience fewer major surgeries and quicker recovery with stronger, more reliable spine support.
How similar studies have gone: Preliminary work on injectable bone cements has shown promise, with ongoing efforts to improve performance and safety in cadaveric models.
Where this research is happening
-
Mayo Clinic Rochester
Rochester, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lu, Lichun — Mayo Clinic Rochester
- Study coordinator: Lu, Lichun
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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.