Using advanced imaging to predict how cancer organoids respond to treatment
Official title: Functional optical imaging for rapid, label-free predictions of treatment response and clonal evolution in patient-derived cancer organoids
Funded at Morgridge Institute for Research, INC. · NIH-11040351 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is exploring a new way to help cancer patients by using tiny lab-grown versions of their tumors to see how well different treatments might work for them, all while using special imaging techniques that don’t require any dyes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Morgridge Institute for Research, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Madison, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2023 |
| Project end | March 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $663,363 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA272855-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11040351 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include patients with colorectal cancer who are undergoing treatment.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with cancers other than colorectal cancer may not benefit directly from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on improving cancer treatment by using patient-derived cancer organoids (PDCOs) to better predict how individual patients will respond to therapies. The team employs advanced optical metabolic imaging techniques that allow for real-time monitoring of treatment effects without the need for dyes or other labels. By overcoming challenges related to organoid heterogeneity and assessment methods, this project aims to enhance the accuracy of treatment predictions and identify new drug options for patients. The goal is to make these imaging techniques more accessible for broader clinical use.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more personalized and effective cancer treatments for patients.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown promise in using similar imaging techniques to predict treatment responses in cancer, indicating a potential for success in this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Morgridge Institute for Research, INC.
Madison, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Skala, Melissa Caroline — Morgridge Institute for Research, INC.
- Study coordinator: Skala, Melissa Caroline
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.