Using ultrasound to examine collagen organization in breast tissue as a cancer indicator
Official title: VisR Ultrasound for Noninvasively Interrogating Stromal Collagen Organization in Women as a Breast Cancer Biomarker
Funded at Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill · NIH-11052463 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new ultrasound method that looks at the structure of collagen in breast tissue to help doctors better understand and diagnose breast cancer, offering a gentler option than traditional tests like mammograms and MRIs.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chapel Hill, United States) |
| Project start | April 15, 2023 |
| Project end | March 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $162,693 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA281150-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11052463 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are women with dense breast tissue or those at risk for breast cancer who require more accurate diagnostic methods.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with non-dense breast tissue or those who do not have breast cancer may not receive significant benefits from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates a new ultrasound technique to noninvasively assess the organization of collagen in breast tissue, which may serve as a biomarker for breast cancer. The approach utilizes shear wave elastography to evaluate tissue stiffness and collagen structure, potentially improving the accuracy of breast cancer diagnosis and treatment management. By focusing on the relationship between collagen organization and cancer characteristics, this study aims to enhance understanding of breast cancer progression and response to therapy. Patients may benefit from a more effective and less invasive diagnostic tool compared to current methods like mammography and MRI.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved breast cancer detection and personalized treatment strategies for patients.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using ultrasound techniques for cancer detection, suggesting that this approach may yield beneficial results.
Where this research is happening
-
Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gallippi, Caterina M — Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
- Study coordinator: Gallippi, Caterina M
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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.