Blood markers to catch early liver cancer in Hispanic people with hepatitis B
Biomarkers for Early Detection of Hepatitis B-Related Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Hispanics
This project will see if a blood test can find liver cancer earlier in Hispanic people who have chronic hepatitis B.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R37 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Minnesota NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Minneapolis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11473605 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will measure immune-related proteins and other blood markers in people with chronic hepatitis B, focusing on Hispanic patients who tend to develop liver cancer at younger ages. They will compare marker patterns in people who later develop hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) to those who do not, using samples and clinical data from participating clinics and networks. The team aims to develop a standardized blood-based screening approach that could be easier to follow and less dependent on operator skill than ultrasound. If successful, the blood test could help detect tumors before symptoms appear or before current ultrasound screening would normally start.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are Hispanic adults with chronic hepatitis B infection who are willing to provide blood samples and share medical records for cancer monitoring.
Not a fit: People without hepatitis B, those already diagnosed with liver cancer, or individuals outside the study’s recruitment regions are unlikely to benefit directly from participating.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could allow earlier, easier detection of liver cancer in Hispanic people with hepatitis B, potentially making curative treatment more likely.
How similar studies have performed: Previous work by this research group found immune markers in serum that predicted future HCC up to two years before diagnosis, and blood-based HCC screening is promising though not yet standard of care.
Where this research is happening
Minneapolis, United States
- University of Minnesota — Minneapolis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Debes, Jose Daniel — University of Minnesota
- Study coordinator: Debes, Jose Daniel
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 below.