Cell-free RNA test to quickly diagnose Kawasaki disease in children
Official title: Development of a Cell-Free RNA Diagnostic Test for Kawasaki disease
Funded at Romix Biosciences INC. · NIH-11405945 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new blood test using cell-free RNA will help doctors diagnose Kawasaki disease in kids faster, leading to earlier treatment.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 2 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Romix Biosciences INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Waltham, United States) |
| Project start | August 10, 2026 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $1,343,973 |
| NIH project number | 1R44HL182431-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11405945 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Children under 18 who may have Kawasaki disease or present with fever and symptoms overlapping with KD.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without KD or with conditions not detectable by cfRNA signatures may not benefit from this test.
What this research studies
Kawasaki disease is a serious pediatric condition that can cause heart problems if not treated promptly. This project aims to develop a rapid, molecular blood test using cell-free RNA signatures and adapt it to commonly available PCR machines. By automating sample processing and scaling up biomarker testing, the approach could turn KD diagnosis into a quick, reliable lab result from a routine blood draw. The effort brings together major children’s hospitals and Romix Biosciences to translate research findings into a practical clinical tool.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the test could shorten the time to diagnosis and treatment, reducing heart-related complications in children.
How similar studies have gone: This represents a novel cfRNA-based diagnostic approach for KD, with prior work in biomarker discovery guiding the plan.
Where this research is happening
-
Romix Biosciences INC.
Waltham, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Loy, Conor — Romix Biosciences INC.
- Study coordinator: Loy, Conor
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Gut bacteria and permeability linked to Kawasaki disease in kids
A pediatric-focused study exploring how the gut microbiome and intestinal barrier may influence Kawasaki disease and its inflammation.
-
Role of sex in immune-stromal cell interactions driving Kawasaki disease vasculitis
This project looks at why Kawasaki disease causes heart problems in kids and how sex differences affect the immune cell interactions that lead to artery inflammation.
-
Cell-free RNA signature to diagnose Kawasaki disease and guide personalized treatment in kids
A new blood test using tiny fragments of RNA found in the blood is being studied to help diagnose Kawasaki disease in children and tailor treatments to prevent heart complications.
-
Sex differences in immune–vessel cell interactions in Kawasaki disease
This project looks at how being male or female changes immune and blood-vessel cell behavior that leads to coronary artery damage in people with Kawasaki disease.
-
Gut bacteria and 'leaky' gut in Kawasaki disease
This research looks at whether changes in gut bacteria and a 'leaky' gut make Kawasaki disease worse in young children.
-
Investigating how sex affects immune interactions in Kawasaki disease
This study is looking at how Kawasaki disease affects kids and how the immune system interacts with blood vessels differently in boys and girls, with the goal of finding better treatments for those who don’t respond to regular therapies.
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.