Biomarker test to confirm cure from Chagas disease

Biomarker-Based Test of Cure for Chagas Disease

NIH-funded research Kephera Diagnostics, LLC · NIH-11145824

A blood-based biomarker test to tell people treated for Chagas disease whether the infection is cured.

Quick facts

Grant typeSbir 2 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionKephera Diagnostics, LLC NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Framingham, UNITED STATES)
Project IDNIH-11145824 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This project is developing a blood test that looks for molecular signs left by the Trypanosoma cruzi parasite after treatment. Researchers will compare blood samples from people who finished treatment, those with ongoing infection, and uninfected controls to identify reliable biomarker patterns. The test will be developed in the lab and then validated using real patient samples across age groups. If successful, it would become a tool doctors can use during follow-up visits to know if treatment worked.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: People with confirmed T. cruzi infection who have completed antiparasitic treatment and are undergoing follow-up would be ideal candidates.

Not a fit: People who have never had Chagas, those not treated yet, or individuals very early in infection where cure markers have not had time to change may not benefit from this test.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the test could give patients clear, faster answers about whether their Chagas infection has been cured and help guide further care.

How similar studies have performed: Biomarker approaches for Chagas cure are relatively new with some promising candidates, but there is not yet a widely accepted, validated test of cure.

Where this research is happening

Framingham, UNITED STATES

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.