Nanoparticle imaging and targeted heat therapy to locate and treat ectopic pregnancy
Official title: Nanoparticle-mediated placental imaging and magnetic hyperthermia for management of ectopic pregnancy
Funded at Oregon State University · NIH-11318989 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project is creating tiny, placenta-seeking particles to help doctors safely find early ectopic pregnancies with clearer imaging and to deliver a focused heat treatment that could destroy ectopic tissue without harming the rest of the pregnancy.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Oregon State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Corvallis, United States) |
| Project start | June 1, 2023 |
| Project end | March 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $628,079 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HD112007-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11318989 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People in the first trimester with suspected or confirmed tubal ectopic pregnancy who need more precise localization or who could benefit from a targeted, non‑systemic treatment would be the ideal candidates.
✕Less likely to help
People with a ruptured ectopic pregnancy requiring emergency surgery, those with a clearly established viable intrauterine pregnancy, or individuals unwilling to receive experimental imaging or nanoparticle-based interventions are unlikely to benefit.
What this research studies
Researchers are designing a biocompatible nanoparticle that binds the trophoblast layer of early placental tissue and accumulates in the implantation site after an intravenous injection. The particles are made to boost contrast for MRI so clinicians can pinpoint ectopic implants that are hard to see with current ultrasound and hCG monitoring. The same particles contain magnetic material that can be heated from outside the body (magnetic hyperthermia) to target and destroy ectopic tissue while minimizing effects on nearby maternal tissues and avoiding fetal exposure. Early work will study where the particles travel in the body and whether they stay out of the fetus using lab and animal models as a step toward eventual testing in people.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could let clinicians detect ectopic pregnancies earlier with safer imaging and offer a focused, less invasive treatment option that reduces bleeding and the need for systemic drugs or surgery.
How similar studies have gone: Related nanoparticle contrast agents and magnetic hyperthermia approaches have shown promise in laboratory and animal studies, but applying these methods specifically to ectopic pregnancy is novel and has not yet been tested in people.
Where this research is happening
-
Oregon State University
Corvallis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Taratula, Olena — Oregon State University
- Study coordinator: Taratula, Olena
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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.