Blood-based early detection for multiple cancers

Multi-cancer Early Detection

NIH-funded research Mayo Clinic Rochester · NIH-11312747

Researchers are developing blood tests to find many different cancers early in people who do not have symptoms.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionMayo Clinic Rochester NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Rochester, United States)
Project IDNIH-11312747 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

If you join, researchers will use stored blood samples and follow-up health records to see whether a blood test can predict cancers before symptoms begin. They will compare test findings to later cancer outcomes to tell apart slow-growing cancers from those likely to be lethal and to figure out how often testing should happen. The team will also test promising blood-based biomarkers in people with different risk levels (for example, those with BRCA gene changes) and improve lab methods so tests can be done faster and for more people. The goal is to create trustworthy evidence that could decide whether these multi-cancer blood tests should be used for population screening.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults without current cancer symptoms, including those at higher risk (for example with BRCA1/2 mutations) who can provide blood samples or join cohort follow-up.

Not a fit: People already diagnosed with symptomatic or advanced cancer likely would not benefit from this screening-focused research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this work could enable earlier detection of many cancer types and improve chances for curative treatment, potentially lowering cancer deaths.

How similar studies have performed: Some commercial multi-cancer blood tests exist and show promise but often miss early-stage cancers, so this project aims to validate and improve sensitivity using large sample archives.

Where this research is happening

Rochester, 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.