Blood and airway microbe and gene tests to find and predict early non-small cell lung cancer

Microbial and host biomarker development for detection and prognosis of early stage non-small cell lung cancer

['FUNDING_OTHER'] · NEW YORK UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE · NIH-11325339

This project looks for microbial and host gene signals in blood and airway samples to help spot early non-small cell lung cancer and predict who might have the cancer come back.

Quick facts

Phase['FUNDING_OTHER']
Study typeNih_funding
SexAll
SponsorNEW YORK UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE (nih funded)
Locations1 site (NEW YORK, UNITED STATES)
Trial IDNIH-11325339 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this research studies

I would provide blood and airway samples so researchers can search for microbial DNA and my own circulating RNA signals linked to early NSCLC. The team uses metagenomic sequencing and a NanoString RNA platform to identify microbial and host gene signatures in systemic circulation and lower airways. They will compare people with early-stage NSCLC to those with non-cancerous lung nodules to find markers that distinguish cancer from benign nodules and predict post-surgical recurrence. If these signatures are confirmed, they could be turned into less-invasive tests for diagnosis and follow-up.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates are people with indeterminate lung nodules on imaging or patients who had surgery for early-stage non-small cell lung cancer and want information about recurrence risk.

Not a fit: People without lung nodules, those with advanced or metastatic lung cancer, or those with non-NSCLC lung conditions are unlikely to benefit from this work.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, these markers could reduce unnecessary invasive diagnostic procedures and help predict which early-stage patients are at higher risk of recurrence.

How similar studies have performed: Preliminary data from this team and others have identified microbial and circulating RNA signatures linked to lung cancer diagnosis and prognosis, but these approaches remain experimental and are not yet standard clinical tests.

Where this research is happening

NEW YORK, 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.

View on NIH RePORTER →

Conditions: Cancer Cause, Cancer Etiology, Cancer Patient

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 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.