Using ultrasound to track immune cells in cancer treatment

Phase Changing Ultrasound Contrast Agents for Deep Tissue Imaging of Cellular Immunotherapies

NIH-funded research Pennsylvania State University, the · NIH-10854083

This study is looking at new tiny ultrasound agents that help us see how immune cells move in cancer treatments, which could lead to better and more personalized care for patients.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionPennsylvania State University, the NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (University Park, United States)
Project IDNIH-10854083 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on developing advanced ultrasound contrast agents to monitor the movement of immune cells used in cancer therapies. By creating nano-scale contrast agents that can be tracked in real-time, the study aims to improve our understanding of how these immune cells migrate to tumors and lymph tissues. This information could help tailor treatment plans and enhance patient outcomes by providing insights into the effectiveness of therapies and potential side effects. The approach utilizes innovative phase-changing peptide nanoemulsions that can be visualized without harming the immune cells.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are patients undergoing adoptive cellular immunotherapy for cancer.

Not a fit: Patients not receiving adoptive cellular immunotherapy or those with conditions unrelated to cancer may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective and personalized cancer treatments by allowing for better monitoring of immune cell behavior.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promise in using imaging techniques to monitor cellular therapies, indicating that this approach could be a significant advancement in the field.

Where this research is happening

University Park, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.