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Multiplex Ultrasound Imaging for the Detection of Head and Neck Lymph Node Micrometastases

Award Number: R01DE033175
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF DENTAL AND CRANIOFACIAL RESEARCH
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 09/19/2024
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 06/30/2028

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Multiplex Ultrasound Imaging for the Detection of Head and Neck Lymph Node Micrometastases - Project Summary Determining whether a tumor has spread to the regional lymph nodes is critical for staging and treatment planning for several types of cancer, including cancers of the head and neck. This determination is routinely performed surgical removal of regional nodes for cancers of the head & neck. While widely accepted and proven to be effective for tumor staging and limiting the further spread of the disease, surgical removal of lymph nodes can lead to morbidity and small metastatic deposits may remain undetected due to pathological sampling error. Thus, patients who undergo the procedure may receive a suboptimal treatment plan. In this project, we will develop a noninvasive ultrasound-based molecular imaging tool to identify micrometastases in the lymphatics. We will develop perfluorocarbon nanodroplet contrast agents targeted to cell surface receptors via directional conjugation of antibodies. We will synthesize two classes of nanodroplets, each with a different boiling point and molecular target. One nanodroplet formulation will be targeted to the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) to enable molecular detection of cancer cells, while the other will be untargeted to act as a delivery control. Based on the phase-change behavior visualized in ultrasound images, we will differentiate between the EGFR- targeted nanodroplets and the nonspecific control. Then, we will apply ratiometric and kinetic modeling strategies to use the different accumulation patterns to highlight regions with small metastases. The nanodroplets and imaging methods will be tested in polyacrylamide phantoms before the dual tracer design is applied to a small animal model of head and neck cancer metastasis. The overall result will be a method that can detect small pockets of metastases in the lymphatics several centimeters deep in tissue.


Issue Date FY	Funding FY	Legal Entity Name	Legal Entity Address	Legal Entity City	Legal Entity State	Legal Entity Zip Code	Legal Entity COUNTY	Legal Entity COUNTRY	Assistance Listing	Award Code	Budget Year	Action Date	Action Type	Action Amount

Issue Date FY: 2025 ( Subtotal = $738,173 )
2025	2025	TRUSTEES OF DARTMOUTH COLLEGE	7 LEBANON ST	HANOVER	NH	03755	GRAFTON	USA	Oral Diseases and Disorders Research	001	2	7/1/2025	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$550,234
2025	2024	TRUSTEES OF DARTMOUTH COLLEGE	7 LEBANON ST	HANOVER	NH	03755	GRAFTON	USA	Oral Diseases and Disorders Research	000	1	4/7/2025	NEW	$187,939
														Subtotal = $738,173

Issue Date FY: 2024 ( Subtotal = $582,234 )
2024	2024	TRUSTEES OF DARTMOUTH COLLEGE	7 LEBANON ST	HANOVER	NH	03755	GRAFTON	USA	Oral Diseases and Disorders Research	000	1	9/19/2024	NEW	$582,234
2024	2024	TRUSTEES OF DARTMOUTH COLLEGE	7 LEBANON ST	HANOVER	NH	03755	GRAFTON	USA	Oral Diseases and Disorders Research	001	1	9/26/2024	NEW	$0
														Subtotal = $582,234

Grand Total All Awards = $1,320,407

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Multiplex Ultrasound Imaging for the Detection of Head and Neck Lymph Node Micrometastases

Award Number: R01DE033175

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF DENTAL AND CRANIOFACIAL RESEARCH

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 09/19/2024

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 06/30/2028

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