Better tests to find aggressive early prostate cancer
Biomarker Discovery & Validation for Early Localized Prostate Cancer Administrative Core
This project develops urine and tissue biomarker tests and decision tools to help men with early prostate cancer learn whether their cancer is likely to be aggressive and needs treatment.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Old Dominion University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Norfolk, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11191534 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a patient perspective, researchers will use urine and tumor samples to look for protein and genetic signals that mark dangerous prostate cancers. They will confirm previously identified urine markers in well-characterized patient groups and create new urine and tissue markers for cancers that MRI may miss. The team will also work on markers that clarify risk for men who carry harmful BRCA2 gene variants. Finally, they will build lab tests and decision algorithms intended for reliable use in clinical care.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are men with newly diagnosed localized prostate cancer who can provide urine and/or tumor tissue samples, including those with known BRCA2 variants.
Not a fit: Men with advanced or metastatic prostate cancer, or those unable to provide the required urine or tissue samples, are unlikely to benefit directly from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, these tests could help men avoid unnecessary treatment or get timely therapy by identifying which early prostate cancers are likely to progress.
How similar studies have performed: Some urine- and tissue-based biomarkers have shown promise in prior work, but their reliability for MRI-invisible tumors and BRCA2 carriers remains limited, so this project aims to confirm and extend promising approaches.
Where this research is happening
Norfolk, United States
- Old Dominion University — Norfolk, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Semmes, Oliver John — Old Dominion University
- Study coordinator: Semmes, Oliver John
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 below.