Near-infrared light-activated boron compounds for cancer imaging and treatment
Cationic Carbone-Boracycles as Far-Red and Near-Infrared Photoactive Agents
This project is testing new boron-based molecules that light up tumors and can be activated by near-infrared light to help image and treat cancers.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts Institute of Technology NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cambridge, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11248814 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From my perspective as a patient, the team will design and make new cationic carbone-boracycle molecules that absorb and emit far-red and near-infrared light. They will synthesize a variety of boron-containing ring structures, measure their photophysical and chemical stability, and add biological-friendly groups so the molecules work in the body. The goal is to produce agents that improve fluorescence imaging of tumors and also serve as light-activated therapy tools. Initial work is lab-based to identify promising candidates before any animal or human testing.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal future candidates would be patients with solid tumors accessible to near-infrared imaging or light-based therapy, such as some skin, breast, or head and neck cancers.
Not a fit: Patients with cancers that are not reachable by light, widespread metastatic disease, or whose tumors do not take up these agents may not receive benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, these agents could improve early tumor detection and enable targeted light-based treatments with fewer side effects.
How similar studies have performed: Related near-infrared dyes and photodynamic therapies have shown promise in preclinical and some clinical settings, but these specific boron-containing compounds are a novel approach.
Where this research is happening
Cambridge, United States
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology — Cambridge, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gilliard, Robert J. — Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- Study coordinator: Gilliard, Robert J.
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 below.