Using special nanoparticles to improve brain cancer surgery through the nose.
Official title: Polymeric Micelles for Targeted Delivery of Contrast Agents Through the Nose-to-Brain Route in Image-Guided Brain Cancer Surgery
Funded at St. John's University · NIH-10935078 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at a new way to help brain cancer surgeons find tumors more easily during surgery by using special tiny carriers that deliver imaging agents through the nose, which could lead to safer and more effective surgeries for patients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | St. John's University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Queens, United States) |
| Project start | July 15, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $182,500 |
| NIH project number | 1R16GM154661-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10935078 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults aged 21 and older who are undergoing surgery for brain tumors.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with brain tumors that are not operable or those who are not candidates for surgery may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on enhancing brain cancer surgery by developing polymeric micelles that can deliver imaging agents through the nose to help surgeons identify tumors more accurately. The approach involves creating a system where the imaging agents remain inactive until they reach the tumor, allowing for clearer differentiation between cancerous and normal tissue during surgery. By providing real-time optical guidance, this method aims to improve surgical outcomes and reduce the risk of removing healthy brain tissue. Patients may benefit from more precise surgeries that could lead to better recovery and outcomes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective brain cancer surgeries with improved tumor removal and reduced damage to healthy tissue.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using imaging agents for tumor identification, making this approach a potentially significant advancement in surgical techniques.
Where this research is happening
-
St. John's University
Queens, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Cho, Hyunah — St. John's University
- Study coordinator: Cho, Hyunah
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Social connections and quality of life for kids who survived brain cancer
This project follows pediatric brain cancer survivors as they grow into adults to understand how their social connections affect their happiness and mental well-being.
-
Brain cancer and brain-glia communication: how tumor cells and microglia talk to each other to drive gbm growth
A patient-facing look at how GBM tumors may manipulate brain immune cells to grow, and how understanding this communication could lead to new treatments.
-
Clarified imaging reports to reduce anxiety for adult survivors of pediatric brain cancer
Adult survivors of pediatric brain cancer may get anxious about scan results, and clearer imaging reports delivered through patient portals could help reduce worry and improve understanding.
-
MRI-guided brain tumor surgery robot to improve laser ablation
A new MRI-compatible robotic system helps precise, real-time laser treatment for brain tumors inside the MRI suite.
-
Brain cancer therapies to help kids and adults with glioblastoma and medulloblastoma
A large NIH grant supports translating promising brain cancer therapies from the lab into patient trials to help people with glioblastoma and medulloblastoma.
-
Brain cancer: Translational approaches to improve outcomes for glioblastoma patients
A team at Northwestern is working on better ways to treat glioblastoma, the deadliest brain cancer, with a focus on translating discoveries into real therapies.
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.