White House Cancer Moonshot Program Announced Today, UW Awarded $21.1M Federal Grant

White House Cancer Moonshot Program Announced Today, UW Awarded $21.1M Federal Grant

Project aims to help doctors determine success of tumor removal during surgery with advanced imaging systems that can ID cancer cells in real-time

EDMONDS, WA- Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, announced that the University of Washington has received a $21.1 million grant as part of the Biden-Harris Cancer Moonshot initiative.

"For the many Washingtonians whose lives cancer touches, including the nearly 45,000 residents who were diagnosed with cancer just last year, these breakthroughs provide real hope," said Sen. Cantwell. "With this funding, the University of Washington is developing technology that could let surgeons better determine in real time whether a tumor removal surgery left any cancerous cells behind - all while the patient is still on the table. This groundbreaking research led by the UW would improve cancer treatment and patient outcomes, and ultimately save lives."

The grant is part of $150 million from the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) announced today.

UW will develop imaging systems and new techniques to visualize individual cells on the surface of a tumor that has been removed. With these advances, a surgeon will be able to examine the surface of the removed tissue and assess whether more cancer cells remain in the patient before the surgery is complete. These projects will generate solutions that will be used in operating rooms, in real-time, and without the need for an on-site pathologist.

Tulane University and Rice University are partnering with UW on the project.

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