A tiny eye-fluid test to predict and track retinoblastoma in young children
Official title: Validation of an aqueous humor liquid biopsy for molecular prognostication and monitoring of children with retinoblastoma.
Funded at Children's Hospital of Los Angeles · NIH-11159608 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project uses a very small sample of eye fluid to look for tumor DNA that could help predict how retinoblastoma will behave and to follow treatment in children.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Children's Hospital of Los Angeles NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $563,214 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA282759-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11159608 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Children (typically infants and young children up to about 11 years old) with suspected or confirmed retinoblastoma who are undergoing clinical eye procedures where a small aqueous humor sample can be taken.
✕Less likely to help
Children with other eye conditions, those for whom aqueous humor sampling is unsafe, or patients whose eyes were already removed may not benefit from this approach.
What this research studies
Retinoblastoma is an eye cancer in young children where taking a tumor biopsy is unsafe, so doctors developed a way to read tumor DNA from the eye's clear fluid (aqueous humor). The team can detect key tumor DNA changes from just 100 microliters of fluid and has found these changes match removed tumors in prior work. This grant aims to validate that liquid biopsy approach for predicting which tumors will be aggressive and for monitoring response during care. Samples would be collected during routine eye procedures so families would not need extra invasive surgery.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could let doctors predict tumor behavior and monitor treatment without removing the eye, enabling more personalized care.
How similar studies have gone: Earlier work from the team showed that tumor DNA in aqueous humor matches tumor tissue in over 94% of cases, but broader validation in more children is still needed.
Where this research is happening
-
Children's Hospital of Los Angeles
Los Angeles, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Berry, Jesse L — Children's Hospital of Los Angeles
- Study coordinator: Berry, Jesse L
Related research
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Aqueous humor liquid biopsy to guide prognosis and monitoring in children with retinoblastoma
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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.