3D atlas to find early stomach precancer in people with inherited CDH1 risk

Center for Gastric Pre-Cancer Atlas of Multidimensional Evolution in 3D (GAME3D)

NIH-funded research University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr · NIH-11179462

This project builds a detailed 3D map of early stomach changes to help people who carry CDH1 mutations know who is at higher risk for invasive gastric cancer.

Quick facts

Grant typeU01 cooperative agreement
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Houston, United States)
Project IDNIH-11179462 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

If you participate, you'll provide clinical information and stomach tissue or surveillance imaging while the team builds a detailed 3D map of the stomach lining. Researchers will combine high-resolution 3D imaging, cellular and molecular profiling, and AI-powered analysis to spot subtle precancerous changes and patterns linked with progression. The project will compare samples from CDH1 mutation carriers who remain cancer-free, those with T1a lesions, and those who develop advanced disease to identify risk signatures. That information will be organized into an atlas intended to guide personalized surveillance and decisions about prophylactic gastrectomy.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates are people who carry pathogenic germline CDH1 mutations, especially those undergoing endoscopic surveillance or with T1a (intramucosal) lesions.

Not a fit: People without CDH1-related hereditary diffuse gastric cancer or those with unrelated forms of stomach cancer are unlikely to benefit directly from this project.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this could help identify which CDH1 carriers truly need preventive total gastrectomy and which could be safely monitored, reducing unnecessary major surgery.

How similar studies have performed: Prior studies have used molecular profiling and imaging for gastric precancerous lesions, but a comprehensive AI-driven 3D atlas specifically for CDH1-related HDGC is novel.

Where this research is happening

Houston, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-10 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.