A new method for cervical cancer screening using a topical treatment.
Official title: A Topical Plasmid-based Approach to Cervical Cancer Screening
Funded at University of Alabama at Birmingham · NIH-11032021 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new, easy way for women, especially those in rural Black communities, to check for cervical cancer at home using a special gel that helps spot cancer cells early without needing a doctor’s visit.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Alabama at Birmingham NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Birmingham, United States) |
| Project start | March 1, 2024 |
| Project end | February 28, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $170,805 |
| NIH project number | 5R21CA283638-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11032021 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are women over 21 years old, particularly those from rural Black communities who may have limited access to traditional cervical cancer screening.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are under 21 years old or those who do not have access to the topical application method may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates a novel approach to cervical cancer screening by using a plasmid that is applied topically. The plasmid is designed to produce a reporter protein that can indicate the presence of cervical cancer cells, which overexpress a specific protein called Id1. The goal is to create a home-based screening method that is sensitive and accessible, particularly for women in rural Black communities who face barriers to traditional screening methods. By applying this plasmid to the cervix, it aims to provide a non-invasive way to detect cervical cancer early.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to a more accessible and effective screening method for cervical cancer, potentially reducing mortality rates.
How similar studies have gone: While this approach is innovative, similar methods using plasmids for cancer detection have shown promise in preliminary studies, indicating potential for success.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Birmingham, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Warram, Jason Morgan — University of Alabama at Birmingham
- Study coordinator: Warram, Jason Morgan
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
mSaada: a mobile tool to boost cervical cancer screening in western Kenya
A mobile app helps community health volunteers manage cervical cancer screening tasks and follow-up for women in low-resource areas.
-
HPV self-collection in HIV care to screen for cervical cancer in Ethiopia
A patient-centered program tests a simple HPV self-collection approach within HIV clinics in Ethiopia to help detect cervical cancer earlier.
-
HOPE-inG: Increasing cervical cancer screening for women with HIV in Ghana
A study tests a home-based HPV self-sampling approach plus a tailored communication plan to help women living with HIV in Ghana get screened more often for cervical cancer.
-
CODA-based cervical cancer screening for LMICs using CRISPR and fluorescence
A low-resource, rapid test called CODA uses CRISPR and light signals to detect cervical cancer markers in women in sub-Saharan Africa to improve screening.
-
CODA-based cervical cancer screening in low-resource settings
A new, quick, low-cost test using CRISPR and fluorescence readouts to help screen for cervical cancer in women in sub-Saharan Africa.
-
CATSystem: a digital tool to boost cervical cancer screening and follow-up in Kenya
A digital tracking system helps doctors and patients in Kenya improve cervical cancer screening, treatment referrals, and follow-up, especially for women living with HIV.
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.