A blood test to detect multiple cancers before symptoms appear
Official title: A non-invasive blood test for multi-cancer detection and determination of tissue of origin preceding overt cancer diagnosis
Funded at University of Chicago · NIH-11044906 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on a simple blood test that can spot early signs of different cancers, like prostate and lung cancer, so that people can get treated sooner and more effectively.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Chicago NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project start | May 1, 2025 |
| Project end | April 30, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $692,491 |
| NIH project number | 1U01CA297685-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11044906 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals at risk for prostate, lung, colorectal, or ovarian cancers, particularly those who have not yet shown symptoms.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have already been diagnosed with advanced cancer or those with other unrelated health conditions may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a non-invasive blood test that can detect early signs of multiple types of cancer, including prostate, lung, colorectal, and ovarian cancers. By analyzing specific epigenetic markers in circulating cell-free DNA, the study aims to identify cancer before it becomes overt, potentially leading to earlier and more effective treatment options. The approach utilizes a novel assay that requires only small amounts of DNA, making it suitable for widespread screening. Patients will be monitored for these early markers, which could significantly change how cancers are diagnosed and treated.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to earlier cancer detection, improving treatment outcomes and survival rates for patients.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in using blood tests for cancer detection, but this specific approach utilizing the 5hmC-Seal assay is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Chicago
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bissonnette, Bruce Marc — University of Chicago
- Study coordinator: Bissonnette, Bruce Marc
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.