Using ultrasound to find small cancer spread in lymph nodes of the head and neck
Official title: Multiplex Ultrasound Imaging for the Detection of Head and Neck Lymph Node Micrometastases
Funded at Dartmouth College · NIH-10980700 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new ultrasound method that uses tiny bubbles to help find small cancer spreads in the lymph nodes of people with head and neck cancers, so doctors can better understand your condition without needing surgery.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Dartmouth College NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Hanover, United States) |
| Project start | September 19, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $582,234 |
| NIH project number | 1R01DE033175-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10980700 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with head and neck cancers who may require lymph node evaluation.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with cancers not affecting the head and neck or those who have already undergone lymph node removal may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to develop a noninvasive ultrasound imaging technique to detect small cancer spread, known as micrometastases, in the lymph nodes of patients with head and neck cancers. By using specially designed nanodroplets that target cancer cells, the researchers hope to improve the accuracy of cancer staging without the need for surgical removal of lymph nodes. This approach could help identify patients who may not be receiving optimal treatment due to undetected cancer spread. The study will involve creating and testing these nanodroplets to visualize cancer cells through ultrasound imaging.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more accurate cancer staging and better treatment plans for patients with head and neck cancers.
How similar studies have gone: Similar approaches using targeted imaging techniques have shown promise in other cancer types, suggesting potential success for this novel method.
Where this research is happening
-
Dartmouth College
Hanover, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Luke, Geoffrey P. — Dartmouth College
- Study coordinator: Luke, Geoffrey P.
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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.