# Laser-guided drug delivery to prevent tumor recurrences

> **NIH NIH R41** · ONCOBLAZE LLC · 2024 · $374,095

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
Surgical tumor resection is the first-line therapy for many types of cancers. For some cancer types, residual
cancer cells frequently remain in the tumor margin after surgery, resulting in local tumor recurrence. We
developed technology that enables the delivery of a large chemotherapy dose to the surgical cavity
immediately after surgical tumor excision. The purpose of this delivery is to kill cancer cells remaining after
surgery and eliminate local recurrence. Specifically, we employ thermo-sensitive liposomal nanoparticles
(TNP) encapsulating a chemotherapy agent (doxorubicin or idarubicin). The particles circulate in the blood
stream for extended duration (~hours), and rapidly release the contained agent only in a targeted region upon
hyperthermia exposure (>40 ºC). Combined with an appropriate hyperthermia device, our TNP enable the local
delivery of a ~25x higher local dose compared to the systemic administration of unencapsulated drug. The goal
of this project is development of a device that uses an infrared laser to expose the surgical cavity to optimal
temperatures for release of chemotherapy from TNP. If successful, this will enable the delivery of a large
chemotherapy dose to remnant cancer cells after surgery, preventing local tumor recurrences.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 11006909
- **Project number:** 1R41EB036383-01
- **Recipient organization:** ONCOBLAZE LLC
- **Principal Investigator:** Dieter Haemmerich
- **Activity code:** R41 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $374,095
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2024-09-18 → 2026-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/11006909

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 11006909, Laser-guided drug delivery to prevent tumor recurrences (1R41EB036383-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/11006909. Licensed CC0.

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