Biomarker Lab aiming to improve cancer screening accuracy
Official title: Biomarker Developmental Laboratory
Funded at Arizona State University-Tempe Campus · NIH-11412527 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A research project from Arizona State University is exploring blood-based biomarkers to reduce false positives from lung cancer CT screens and improve ovarian cancer screening when used with existing tests.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Arizona State University-Tempe Campus NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Scottsdale, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2022 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $241,434 |
| NIH project number | 5U2CCA271903-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11412527 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults undergoing lung cancer screening or ovarian cancer screening who may have benign vs. malignant findings, or who could contribute samples for biomarker studies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without the relevant cancer risk or those not contributing samples may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
This project develops circulating antibody-based biomarkers to make lung cancer CT screening more specific and ovarian cancer screening more reliable when combined with CA125 and TVUS. Researchers will analyze three types of antibodies—autoantibodies, anti-microbial antibodies, and anti-aberrant glycoprotein antibodies—using immunoproteomics and prior validated biomarker approaches. The work builds on prior findings and uses a systems approach to distinguish cancer from benign disease, with a focus on reducing unnecessary procedures and missed cancers. The study leverages multi-center validation data and aims to translate biomarker signals into more accurate screening decisions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the biomarkers could lower unnecessary surgeries and improve early cancer detection.
How similar studies have gone: Prior autoantibody biomarkers have shown high cancer specificity in blinded validation studies, supporting continued development.
Where this research is happening
-
Arizona State University-Tempe Campus
Scottsdale, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Anderson, Karen Sue — Arizona State University-Tempe Campus
- Study coordinator: Anderson, Karen Sue
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.