Understanding Diabetic Foot Ulcer Healing
Inflammation-related gene biomarkers in human diabetic foot ulcer healing
This project aims to find a way to predict how well diabetic foot ulcers will heal by looking at specific markers related to inflammation.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Drexel University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11121939 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Diabetic foot ulcers are a serious problem for many people with diabetes, often leading to amputations. We know that ongoing inflammation plays a big role in why these wounds don't heal properly. Our team has developed a special "Inflammation Index" that measures changes in certain genes over time. This index helps us understand if a wound is moving towards healing or if inflammation is getting worse. By tracking this index, we hope to better predict which ulcers will heal and which ones might need different care.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Patients with diabetic foot ulcers who are undergoing treatment would be ideal candidates for this type of research.
Not a fit: Patients without diabetic foot ulcers or those whose ulcers are already fully healed would not directly benefit from this specific prediction method.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help doctors identify early on which diabetic foot ulcers are likely to heal and which ones need more aggressive treatment to prevent complications like amputation.
How similar studies have performed: Preliminary studies involving 3 groups of 21 subjects have shown promising results, correctly predicting healing outcomes.
Where this research is happening
Philadelphia, United States
- Drexel University — Philadelphia, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Spiller, Kara Lorraine — Drexel University
- Study coordinator: Spiller, Kara Lorraine
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.