Analyzing blood samples to improve liver transplant selection for cancer patients
Official title: Integrated analysis of HCC CTCs for Liver Transplant Candidate Selection
Funded at University of California Los Angeles · NIH-10800692 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at ways to use a simple blood test to find specific cancer cells in patients with liver cancer who might need a transplant, helping doctors better understand their condition and improve their chances of a successful surgery.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California Los Angeles NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2020 |
| Project end | March 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $490,138 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA246304-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-10800692 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with unresectable, non-metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma who are awaiting liver transplantation.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with resectable HCC or those who do not meet the criteria for liver transplantation may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who are candidates for liver transplantation. It aims to develop a blood-based assay that can detect specific circulating tumor cells and their RNA signatures, which will help assess tumor biology without the need for invasive procedures. By identifying patients who are most suitable for transplantation, the study seeks to reduce the risk of disease progression during the waiting period and improve outcomes after transplantation. The integrated analysis will utilize advanced techniques to monitor tumor characteristics dynamically.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more accurate selection of liver transplant candidates, potentially improving survival rates and reducing recurrence of cancer post-transplant.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in using blood-based biomarkers for cancer monitoring, indicating that this approach could be effective.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Agopian, Vatche — University of California Los Angeles
- Study coordinator: Agopian, Vatche
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Innate and Adaptive Immunoregulation in Liver Transplant Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury
A liver transplant-focused project investigates how the body’s early and later immune responses affect transplant failure or success after reperfusion.
-
Biomarker-guided reduction of immunosuppression after liver transplant
A multicenter trial tests whether using blood biomarkers to guide tapering of immunosuppression in adults with liver transplants can keep people healthy while lowering drug exposure.
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Understanding how liver disease progresses in people waiting for a liver transplant
A study will build a knowledge base that maps how liver disease worsens over time in patients on the transplant waitlist to improve care and planning.
-
Biomarkers to tailor liver transplant immunosuppression
A multi-center study using blood biomarkers to guide how immunosuppressive drugs are given to liver transplant patients.
-
Pre-Transplant Immune Health Marker Panel to Predict Liver Transplant Outcomes
A patient-facing biomarker test used before liver transplant to help doctors estimate the risk of early death after the transplant.
-
Thinking skills and self-care after a liver transplant
This project follows people who received liver transplants to learn how changes in thinking and memory affect managing medicines, clinic visits, and overall health.
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.