Blood tests plus MRI image analysis to find liver cancer earlier
Official title: Liquid biopsy and radiomics for liver cancer surveillance
Funded at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai · NIH-11187129 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project combines new blood-based 'liquid biopsy' tests with advanced MRI image analysis to try to detect liver cancer earlier in people at high risk, such as those with cirrhosis.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | September 19, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $1,984,454 |
| NIH project number | 4U01CA283931-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11187129 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are adults with cirrhosis or other high-risk liver conditions who are undergoing routine liver cancer surveillance, especially those with indeterminate liver nodules on imaging.
✕Less likely to help
People without liver disease or those at low risk for hepatocellular carcinoma are unlikely to benefit from participation.
What this research studies
If you have cirrhosis or are otherwise at high risk for liver cancer, the team will collect blood samples and MRI scans to look for signs of early tumors using new blood biomarkers and computerized image features called radiomics. The multi-institution team in New York plans to enroll about 2,560 people, including early liver cancer cases and high-risk controls, to compare results. People with unclear nodules on imaging may receive additional blood testing or closer imaging follow-up instead of immediate biopsy. The aim is to improve how well surveillance finds treatable liver cancers and reduce unnecessary procedures and delayed diagnoses.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could detect liver cancer at an earlier, more treatable stage and reduce unnecessary biopsies or missed diagnoses.
How similar studies have gone: Prior research on liquid biopsy markers and on radiomics has shown promise for detecting liver tumors, but combining these approaches for routine early surveillance is still largely untested.
Where this research is happening
-
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Taouli, Bachir — Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
- Study coordinator: Taouli, Bachir
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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.