Detecting cancer and monitoring its return using saliva samples
Official title: Non-invasive cancer detection and residual disease monitoring by cell-free nucleic acid from saliva
Funded at Nord Bio INC · NIH-11237457 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at a simple way to check for cancer and see if it comes back by analyzing DNA from saliva, which is easier to collect than blood, to help improve how we monitor and treat cancer patients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 1 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Nord Bio INC NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Wilmington, United States) |
| Project start | January 9, 2025 |
| Project end | June 30, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $54,672 |
| NIH project number | 3R43CA285075-01A1S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11237457 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with cancer who require ongoing monitoring for disease recurrence.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not diagnosed with cancer or those who have advanced cancer requiring immediate invasive intervention may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates a non-invasive method for detecting cancer and monitoring residual disease by analyzing cell-free DNA (cfDNA) found in saliva. By utilizing saliva, which is easier to collect than blood or tissue samples, the study aims to develop a reliable assay that can identify genetic changes associated with tumors. This approach could allow for continuous monitoring of cancer patients, helping to predict recurrence and improve treatment outcomes without the need for invasive procedures. The research focuses on characterizing cfDNA levels in saliva and validating the presence of tumor DNA to enhance cancer detection and monitoring.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a safer and more accessible way for patients to monitor their cancer status and detect recurrences early.
How similar studies have gone: While the use of cfDNA in blood for cancer detection has shown success, the application of saliva for this purpose is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested.
Where this research is happening
-
Nord Bio INC
Wilmington, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Leshchiner, Ignaty — Nord Bio INC
- Study coordinator: Leshchiner, Ignaty
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Detecting cancer and monitoring treatment through saliva samples
This study is looking at a new, easy way to check for cancer by testing saliva for bits of DNA from tumors, which could help people monitor their cancer without needing painful procedures like biopsies.
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.