Active HCV diagnosis to help prevent liver cancer in low-resource regions
Official title: Active HCV diagnosis to support prevention of HCC in LMICs
Funded at Northwestern University · NIH-11535349 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A project to improve how doctors diagnose hepatitis C in sub-Saharan Africa, with a focus on Nigeria, to prevent liver cancer and save lives.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Northwestern University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project start | August 9, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $33,170 |
| NIH project number | 3U01CA292771-03S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11535349 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults in sub-Saharan Africa, especially in Nigeria, who may have been exposed to HCV and need accurate diagnosis.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without access to diagnostic services or in regions where the DASH platform cannot be implemented may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
This project aims to create and validate a hepatitis C test for the DASH platform that can be used in low-resource settings. It addresses the two-step process where antibody tests must be followed by molecular testing, which often fails patients who face barriers to care. By simplifying and speeding up diagnosis, it seeks to reduce delays and loss to follow-up. The effort involves testing accuracy, follow-up processes, and practical deployment in real-world clinics in Africa. It is led by Northwestern University and collaborations that aim to reach underserved populations.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could receive quicker, more reliable HCV diagnoses and timely treatment, reducing liver cancer risk.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies show the importance of rapid, accurate HCV testing, but deployment in LMICs remains challenging; this project builds on those lessons with a new diagnostic approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Northwestern University
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mcfall, Sally Maureen — Northwestern University
- Study coordinator: Mcfall, Sally Maureen
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.