Receptor-targeted fluorescent guidance for pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor surgery
Official title: Receptor-Targeted Fluorescence-Guided Surgery in Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors
Funded at University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston · NIH-11289293 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new fluorescent dye that sticks to pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors is being developed to help surgeons see and remove tumors more clearly during surgery.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2022 |
| Project end | February 28, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $482,257 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA263512-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11289293 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors who are planning surgical removal, especially when tumors express somatostatin receptor subtype 2 (SSTR2), would be the best candidates.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without pNETs, those whose tumors lack SSTR2 expression, or patients not having surgery are unlikely to benefit directly from this work.
What this research studies
This project is developing a fluorescent agent that binds a protein (SSTR2) found on many pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors so surgeons can better visualize tumors during operations. The team converted a clinical radiotracer into a near-infrared dye and replaced a charged dye (IR800) with a charge-balanced FNIR-Tag to reduce background glow from normal tissues. They have tested the agent in lab models and surgical tumor samples and are working toward using it safely in patients during surgery. The overall approach aims to make tumor margins clearer so fewer tumor cells are left behind.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the dye could let surgeons remove pNETs more completely, potentially lowering recurrence and improving survival.
How similar studies have gone: Fluorescence-guided surgery has improved tumor visualization in other cancers and radiotracer-derived fluorescent agents have shown promise, but SSTR2-targeted fluorescent imaging for pNETs is a newer, less-tested approach.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston
Houston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Azhdarinia, Ali — University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston
- Study coordinator: Azhdarinia, Ali
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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.