Real-time fluorescence lifetime imaging to guide sarcoma surgery
Fluorescence lifetime-based intraoperative imaging system for sarcoma surgeries
This project will test a new surgical camera that uses special fluorescence lifetime signals to help surgeons find and remove sarcoma tumors more completely during surgery for people with sarcoma.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11258565 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would receive a safe fluorescent dye that helps tumor tissue glow differently than normal tissue, and surgeons would use a new camera that reads the fluorescence lifetime rather than just brightness. The lifetime signal is less affected by probe amount and tissue differences, so it could give more reliable, real-time feedback about leftover tumor in the surgical bed. The team will develop and validate the imaging system and software so surgeons can see areas of concern during the operation. The goal is to reduce missed cancer at the margins while avoiding removal of extra healthy tissue.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would be people diagnosed with a sarcoma who are planning to have surgical removal of their tumor at a participating hospital.
Not a fit: People who are not having surgery, those with cancers other than sarcoma, or tumors that do not take up the fluorescent dye are unlikely to benefit from this approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could help surgeons remove all sarcoma tissue while preserving healthy tissue, lowering the chance of local recurrence and improving recovery and function.
How similar studies have performed: Fluorescence-guided surgery has shown benefits in some cancers, but using fluorescence lifetime measurements for sarcoma is a newer, less-tested approach.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kumar, Anand T.n. — Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary
- Study coordinator: Kumar, Anand T.n.
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.