Optical coherence tomography for improved colon polyp detection and treatment
Colorectal Cancer Screening with Optical Coherence Tomography
This work is developing a tiny imaging tool that can see behind colon folds to help doctors spot, diagnose, and potentially treat polyps in real time without routine sedation.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts General Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11142667 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would have a small OCT imaging probe used during a colon exam that creates cross-sectional, microscope-like pictures of the colon lining, including areas hidden behind folds. The team is refining the OCT device and software to make polyp detection more objective and to provide immediate tissue-level diagnosis. They will test the technology in patients and compare its findings to standard colonoscopy practices. The aim is to find more precancerous lesions, reduce unnecessary polyp removals, and enable some treatments at the point of care without general sedation.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults scheduled for colon cancer screening or diagnostic colonoscopy who are willing to undergo imaging at the study site.
Not a fit: Patients who already have confirmed advanced colorectal cancer requiring surgery or those unable or unwilling to undergo endoscopy are unlikely to benefit from this screening-focused work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could make colon screening more accurate, reduce the need for sedation, lower costs, and catch more precancerous polyps before they become cancer.
How similar studies have performed: OCT has shown promise for high-resolution tissue imaging in other organs and early endoscopic studies, but full colon-wide OCT screening and point-of-care diagnosis remains a novel approach undergoing clinical validation.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Massachusetts General Hospital — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Tearney, Guillermo J — Massachusetts General Hospital
- Study coordinator: Tearney, Guillermo 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.