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Cerium oxide nanoparticles for CT imaging and catalytic therapeutic intervention in inflammatory bowel disease

Award Number: R01EB036942
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE Of BIOMEDICAL IMAGING & BIOENGINEERING
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 01/01/2025
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 12/31/2028

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Cerium oxide nanoparticles for CT imaging and catalytic therapeutic intervention in inflammatory bowel disease - PROJECT SUMMARY Computed tomography (CT) is an x-ray based medical imaging technique commonly used for non-invasive gastrointestinal tract (GIT) imaging. Iodine and barium based CT contrast agents are used in the clinic for GIT imaging, however, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) imaging is challenging since iodinated and barium based CT agents are not specific for sites of inflammation. Cerium oxide nanoparticles (CeNP) produce strong x-ray attenuation due to cerium's k-edge at 40.6 keV, but have only recently begun to be explored for CT imaging. We hypothesized that the use of dextran as a coating material on cerium oxide nanoparticles would encourage accumulation in IBD inflammation sites in a similar fashion to other inflammatory diseases. We have therefore studied a novel CT contrast agent, i.e. dextran coated cerium oxide nanoparticles (Dex-CeNP) for imaging GIT with IBD. Dex-CeNP produced strong CT contrast and accumulated in the IBD area of large intestines. >97 % of oral doses (an exceptionally high value) were cleared from the body within 24 hrs and the agents were found to be safe from clinical blood chemistry measurements and histology. Moreover, current treatments for IBD have poor efficacy and lead to undesirable side effects. Cerium oxide nanoparticles have significant anti-inflammatory properties, as indicated by our preliminary data. We therefore also hypothesized that Dex-CeNP may prove to be an effective treatment for IBD. We herein propose to develop several variations of Dex-CeNP characterize them, test them for their potential for imaging IBD and as a novel therapeutic for this disease, as well as perform extensive safety testing. By assembling a complementary team of scientists and physicians at the University of Pennsylvania, we seek to develop a breakthrough imaging and therapeutic agent for IBD.


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: 2026 ( Subtotal = $436,233 )
2026	2026	TRUSTEES OF THE UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA, THE	3451 WALNUT STREET	PHILADELPHIA	PA	19104	PHILADELPHIA	USA	Discovery and Applied Research for Technological Innovations to Improve Human Health	000	2	1/16/2026	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$436,233
														Subtotal = $436,233

Issue Date FY: 2025 ( Subtotal = $545,290 )
2025	2025	TRUSTEES OF THE UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA, THE	3451 WALNUT ST STE 440A	PHILADELPHIA	PA	19104	PHILADELPHIA	USA	Discovery and Applied Research for Technological Innovations to Improve Human Health	001	1	8/21/2025	NEW	$68,161
2025	2025	TRUSTEES OF THE UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA, THE	3451 WALNUT ST STE 440A	PHILADELPHIA	PA	19104	PHILADELPHIA	USA	Discovery and Applied Research for Technological Innovations to Improve Human Health	000	1	12/25/2024	NEW	$477,129
														Subtotal = $545,290

Grand Total All Awards = $981,523

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Cerium oxide nanoparticles for CT imaging and catalytic therapeutic intervention in inflammatory bowel disease

Award Number: R01EB036942

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE Of BIOMEDICAL IMAGING & BIOENGINEERING

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

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

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 01/01/2025

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 12/31/2028

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