Blood test to detect early liver cancer in Hispanic people with hepatitis B
Biomarkers for Early Detection of Hepatitis B-Related Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Hispanics
This project looks at whether a blood-based panel of immune markers can find early liver cancer in Hispanic adults 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-11258005 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you are a Hispanic person living with chronic hepatitis B, researchers will study blood samples to look for immune-related signals that change before liver cancer appears. The team will use samples and data from their South American Liver Research Network and partner sites to compare people who later develop hepatocellular carcinoma with those who do not. This approach aims to create a standardized blood test that could be easier to do and follow than twice-yearly liver ultrasounds. The goal is to find markers that show up up to years before a tumor is visible so treatment can start earlier.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Hispanic adults with chronic hepatitis B, especially those followed at participating centers or who are younger than typical screening ages, would be the ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People without hepatitis B, those already diagnosed with liver cancer, or patients whose liver disease stems from a different cause may not benefit from this specific biomarker effort.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could enable earlier, simpler blood-based detection of liver cancer in people with hepatitis B, increasing the chance of curative treatment.
How similar studies have performed: The investigators previously found immune markers that predicted future liver cancer up to two years before diagnosis, so there is promising preliminary evidence but the approach still needs broader validation.
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.