Blood test to find multiple cancers early using DNA methylation
Multi-cancer early detection using cell-free DNA methylome analysis
['FUNDING_U01'] · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES · NIH-11189722
This project is improving a blood test that reads cell-free DNA methylation to help find colon, stomach, liver, and lung cancers at earlier stages.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_U01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (LOS ANGELES, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11189722 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
You would give a small blood sample and researchers will use a new lab method called cfMethyl-Seq that enriches cancer-linked DNA methylation signals. They will combine that lab method with computer algorithms to look for patterns that point to cancer and where it likely started. The team will refine the assay and analysis, then validate the test in multiple clinical groups of people with colon, stomach, liver, and lung cancers and in people without cancer. The hope is to increase sensitivity for early-stage cancers and improve the test's ability to localize the tumor source.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants are adults who can give blood, especially people with newly diagnosed or early-stage colon, stomach, liver, or lung cancer and matched controls.
Not a fit: People with cancers outside the four target types, those who cannot provide blood samples, or those already known to have advanced disease may not receive direct benefit from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the test could detect several cancers from a simple blood draw earlier, enabling earlier treatment and potentially better outcomes.
How similar studies have performed: Other methylation-based liquid biopsy tests have shown promising results for multi-cancer detection but often have limited sensitivity for very early-stage disease, so this work builds on promising early data and seeks broader clinical validation.
Where this research is happening
LOS ANGELES, UNITED STATES
- UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES — LOS ANGELES, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: ZHOU, XIANGHONG JASMINE — UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES
- Study coordinator: ZHOU, XIANGHONG JASMINE
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.