Using tiny gold particles to make radiation therapy work better
Rational translation of gold nanoparticle mediated radiosensitization to the clinic
['FUNDING_R01'] · UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS HLTH SCI CTR HOUSTON · NIH-11256771
Seeing if specially designed tiny gold nanoparticles can help radiation kill cancer cells more effectively for people getting radiotherapy.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS HLTH SCI CTR HOUSTON (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (HOUSTON, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11256771 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
This project develops tiny gold particles that stick to tumors and help radiation damage cancer cells. For me as a patient, the team will study how these particles travel through the body, how long they stay in tumors, and what happens to them inside cancer cells using lab and animal studies that mimic human tumors. They'll compare targeted particles that seek tumors with older passive approaches and measure how much extra radiation dose actually reaches the tumor. These steps are meant to resolve safety, dosing, and delivery questions before moving the approach into people.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would be people with solid tumors treated with radiation who might be eligible for future clinical trials of nanoparticle radiosensitizers.
Not a fit: Patients whose cancers are managed without radiation or who cannot receive radiotherapy are unlikely to gain direct benefit from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could make radiotherapy more effective against tumors while reducing damage to normal tissues.
How similar studies have performed: Preclinical studies in cells and animals have shown that gold nanoparticles can increase radiation damage to tumors, but clinical use remains experimental and not yet proven.
Where this research is happening
HOUSTON, UNITED STATES
- UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS HLTH SCI CTR HOUSTON — HOUSTON, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: KRISHNAN, SUNIL — UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS HLTH SCI CTR HOUSTON
- Study coordinator: KRISHNAN, SUNIL
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.