# Ultra-bright fluorescent nanoparticles for colorectal adenoma detection

> **NIH NIH R21** · DUKE UNIVERSITY · 2021 · $258,100

## Abstract

Abstract
Colorectal cancer is the 3rd leading cause of cancer-related mortality. Colorectal cancer screening significantly
reduces cancer mortality through the detection of precancerous adenomas and removal with colonoscopy
polypectomy. Inspection of the colon upon withdrawal from the cecum during colonoscopy is the most
common method of adenoma detection in the United States. However, substantial evidence suggests that
there are significant limitations to colonoscopy for adenoma detection due to inadequate visualization of
polyps. Therefore, we recently developed ultrabright fluorescent nanoparticles (CA-dots) to highlight
adenomas, and thereby, facilitate their detection. In our preliminary study, we showed that these nanoparticles
preferentially bind to mouse colon adenomas and human adenoma organoids (i.e., mini-guts grown in three-
dimensional environment). In this proposal, we hypothesize that CA-dots conjugated to folate groups will
discriminate between adenoma and normal colon derived from colonoscopy subjects with high sensitivity and
specificity. In Specific Aim 1, we will synthesize CA-dots for targeting of human adenomas. The goal of this aim
is to prepare ultrabright fluorescent nanoparticles composed of cellulose acetate that demonstrate the highest
accuracy in identification of colorectal adenomas. In Specific Aim 2, we will determine the efficacy of targeting
fluorescent nanoparticles (CA-dots) to visually distinguish adenoma of various types from normal colon tissue.
Here, we will study the efficacy of our CA-dot functionalized with folic acid to distinguish adenoma tissue from
normal colon tissue biopsy specimens derived from a cohort of subjects who are referred to Duke University
Hospital for removal of large (> 2 cm) adenomas. The goal of this proposal is to demonstrate efficacy of our
novel fluorescent nanoparticles, CA-dots, to discriminate colon adenoma from normal colon ex vivo. Results
from this study will provide preliminary data for R01-level applications to examine the application of this
technology for the detection of precancerous adenomas during screening colonoscopy, which is our
overarching goal.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10217790
- **Project number:** 1R21DK125911-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** DUKE UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Jatin Roper
- **Activity code:** R21 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $258,100
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2021-07-27 → 2023-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10217790

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10217790, Ultra-bright fluorescent nanoparticles for colorectal adenoma detection (1R21DK125911-01A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-06-12 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10217790. Licensed CC0.

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