Porphyrin-based agents for improved tumor imaging and targeted cancer treatment
Biomedical Applications of Expanded Porphyrins
Researchers are developing porphyrin-based compounds to give clearer tumor images and deliver cancer drugs more safely for people with solid tumors.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Texas at Austin NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Austin, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11365873 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You should know the team is building on promising animal results where a texaphyrin–platinum compound nearly stopped tumor regrowth in a patient-derived ovarian cancer model. They will design new metallotexaphyrin molecules that carry PARP inhibitors or gold payloads and can act as MRI/19F imaging probes and light-activated therapeutic agents. The work will combine chemical synthesis, lab cell tests, and animal studies to optimize imaging signals and tumor-targeting drug delivery, including photo-induced thermal and pyroptosis effects. If those preclinical tests go well, the best candidates could move toward safety testing in people.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with solid tumors—particularly ovarian cancer or tumors with BRCA1-related biology—would be the most likely eventual candidates for related clinical testing.
Not a fit: Because this is mainly preclinical work, patients needing immediate standard treatment or those with cancers unlikely to be targeted by these compounds may not see any direct benefit at this time.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, these agents could enable clearer tumor imaging while concentrating chemotherapy effects in tumors to reduce systemic toxicity.
How similar studies have performed: Prior preclinical work with a motexafin gadolinium–platinum conjugate showed near-complete tumor suppression in a patient-derived ovarian cancer mouse model, but human testing of these specific approaches has not yet occurred.
Where this research is happening
Austin, United States
- University of Texas at Austin — Austin, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sessler, Jonathan L — University of Texas at Austin
- Study coordinator: Sessler, Jonathan L
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.