Using lasers to deliver chemotherapy directly to surgical sites to prevent cancer recurrence
Official title: Laser-guided drug delivery to prevent tumor recurrences
Funded at Oncoblaze LLC · NIH-11006909 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new way to help cancer patients by using heat to deliver stronger doses of chemotherapy right where tumors were removed, which could help prevent the cancer from coming back.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Oncoblaze LLC NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Charleston, United States) |
| Project start | September 18, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $374,095 |
| NIH project number | 1R41EB036383-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11006909 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients who have undergone surgical tumor resection and are at risk of local tumor recurrence.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have not had surgery or those whose tumors are not amenable to surgical removal may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on improving cancer treatment by delivering high doses of chemotherapy directly to the area where tumors have been surgically removed. It utilizes thermo-sensitive liposomal nanoparticles that release the chemotherapy agent only when exposed to heat, ensuring that the drug targets residual cancer cells effectively. The approach involves using an infrared laser to heat the surgical cavity, allowing for a significantly higher concentration of the drug to be delivered precisely where it's needed. This method aims to reduce the chances of local tumor recurrence after surgery.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly lower the risk of cancer returning after surgery by ensuring that remaining cancer cells are effectively targeted and destroyed.
How similar studies have gone: While the use of localized drug delivery systems has shown promise in other studies, this specific approach using laser-guided delivery is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested.
Where this research is happening
-
Oncoblaze LLC
Charleston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Haemmerich, Dieter — Oncoblaze LLC
- Study coordinator: Haemmerich, Dieter
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.