CODA-based cervical cancer screening in low-resource settings
Official title: Composing CODAs to cervical cancer screening through an integrated CRISPR and fluorescent nucleic acid approach
Funded at Massachusetts General Hospital · NIH-11535357 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new, quick, low-cost test using CRISPR and fluorescence readouts to help screen for cervical cancer in women in sub-Saharan Africa.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts General Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $124,465 |
| NIH project number | 3U01CA279858-04S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11535357 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Women in sub-Saharan Africa who are eligible for cervical cancer screening, particularly in Uganda and Ghana.
✕Less likely to help
If a clinic lacks the necessary infrastructure or trained personnel, the test may not be implemented effectively.
What this research studies
This project aims to bring a fast, easy-to-use nucleic acid test to clinics in Uganda and Ghana so healthcare workers can screen women for cervical abnormalities in under 30 minutes. The test, CODA, combines CRISPR-based detection with a simple optical readout to identify DNA/RNA markers of cervical precancer, designed for low-resource settings. The team will validate the method with human specimens and adapt workflows so clinicians and lab staff can implement it in real-world clinics. The work emphasizes clinician and lab training, workflow integration, and collaboration with local partners to ensure feasibility and sustainability in LMIC environments.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the test could enable rapid, affordable cervical cancer screening at the point of care, reducing delays and expanding access for women in LMICs.
How similar studies have gone: Preliminary data suggest CRISPR-based diagnostics can work with simple readouts, but large-scale validation in LMIC settings is needed.
Where this research is happening
-
Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Castro, Cesar M — Massachusetts General Hospital
- Study coordinator: Castro, Cesar M
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
mSaada: a mobile tool to boost cervical cancer screening in western Kenya
A mobile app helps community health volunteers manage cervical cancer screening tasks and follow-up for women in low-resource areas.
-
HPV self-collection in HIV care to screen for cervical cancer in Ethiopia
A patient-centered program tests a simple HPV self-collection approach within HIV clinics in Ethiopia to help detect cervical cancer earlier.
-
HOPE-inG: Increasing cervical cancer screening for women with HIV in Ghana
A study tests a home-based HPV self-sampling approach plus a tailored communication plan to help women living with HIV in Ghana get screened more often for cervical cancer.
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CODA-based cervical cancer screening for LMICs using CRISPR and fluorescence
A low-resource, rapid test called CODA uses CRISPR and light signals to detect cervical cancer markers in women in sub-Saharan Africa to improve screening.
-
CATSystem: a digital tool to boost cervical cancer screening and follow-up in Kenya
A digital tracking system helps doctors and patients in Kenya improve cervical cancer screening, treatment referrals, and follow-up, especially for women living with HIV.
-
Enhanced breast and cervical cancer screening in Kenya through implementation science and training
A multi-institution effort to boost breast and cervical cancer screening, follow-up, and treatment in Kenya using hands-on implementation science and training.
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.