PointCheck: a home-based, non-invasive neutropenia monitor for chemotherapy patients
Official title: Reducing the incidence of febrile neutropenia in cancer patients treated with chemotherapy with PointCheck: a portable non-invasive neutropenia analyzer
Funded at Leuko Labs, INC. · NIH-11364218 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A portable, non-invasive device helps cancer patients on chemotherapy monitor neutropenia from home so doctors can prevent serious infections.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 2 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Leuko Labs, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cambridge, United States) |
| Project start | July 12, 2018 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $991,877 |
| NIH project number | 5R44CA228920-06 |
| Project ID | NIH-11364218 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adult cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy who are at risk for neutropenia and can use a home monitoring device.
✕Less likely to help
Patients not undergoing chemotherapy or those unable to use home-monitoring technology may not benefit.
What this research studies
PointCheck is a first-in-class device that uses light to watch tiny blood vessels in the nailbed to detect dangerous drops in neutrophils without drawing blood. The project aims to finalize design, validate performance, and obtain regulatory approval so patients can use it at home between chemotherapy sessions. If successful, it could enable earlier intervention and reduce hospitalizations and costs tied to neutropenia. Patients would use the device regularly and share readings with their care team to inform treatment decisions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If approved, patients could monitor neutropenia at home and receive timely care to prevent infections and hospital visits.
How similar studies have gone: Previous early studies showed concept feasibility with small patient groups; broader validation is ongoing.
Where this research is happening
-
Leuko Labs, INC.
Cambridge, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Castro-Gonzalez, Carlos — Leuko Labs, INC.
- Study coordinator: Castro-Gonzalez, Carlos
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Stimulant that grows donor stem cells in the body to speed neutropenia recovery after chemotherapy and stem cell transplant
A drug given during or right before stem cell transplant helps donor stem cells multiply quickly inside the patient to shorten neutropenia after treatment.
-
Stimulant to grow stem cells in the body to speed recovery after chemotherapy and stem cell transplant
A new drug given briefly before transplant aims to help patients recover their blood and immune system faster after chemotherapy or stem cell transplant.
-
Drug to boost stem cell growth and shorten low-white-blood-cell time after transplant
A brief drug treatment given to donor stem cells aims to help them grow faster inside the body so people recovering from chemotherapy or a stem cell transplant make white blood cells sooner.
-
A portable device to detect low white blood cell counts in cancer patients
This project is developing a new portable device called PointCheck to help cancer patients on chemotherapy monitor their white blood cell counts from home and prevent serious infections.
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Developing a drug to enhance stem cell growth for faster recovery after chemotherapy and bone marrow transplant
This study is testing a new drug that helps boost the growth of stem cells in patients getting a stem cell transplant, with the goal of speeding up recovery and reducing the risk of infections after the procedure.
-
A device to monitor cancer patients for low white blood cell counts at home
This study is testing a new, easy-to-use device called PointCheck that helps cancer patients on chemotherapy check their white blood cell counts at home, so they can catch any serious drops in their levels early and stay safe from infections.
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.