Biomarker test to confirm cure from Chagas disease
Official title: Biomarker-Based Test of Cure for Chagas Disease
Funded at Kephera Diagnostics, LLC · NIH-11145824 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A blood-based biomarker test to tell people treated for Chagas disease whether the infection is cured.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 2 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Kephera Diagnostics, LLC NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Framingham, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | July 16, 2019 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $906,016 |
| NIH project number | 5R44AI147973-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11145824 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with confirmed T. cruzi infection who have completed antiparasitic treatment and are undergoing follow-up would be ideal candidates.
✕Less likely to help
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.
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.
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 gone: 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
-
Kephera Diagnostics, LLC
Framingham, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Levin, Andrew E. — Kephera Diagnostics, LLC
- Study coordinator: Levin, Andrew E.
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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.