Detecting low levels of cancer after treatment using advanced blood tests

Genome-wide mutational integration for ultra-sensitive plasma tumor burden monitoring in immunotherapy

NIH-funded research Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ · NIH-11088188

This study is looking at a new way to help people who have been treated for cancer by using a blood test to find tiny amounts of leftover cancer cells, which could lead to earlier treatment and better chances of staying cancer-free.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionWeill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (New York, United States)
Project IDNIH-11088188 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on improving cancer diagnostics by developing a method to detect minimal residual disease (MRD) in patients who have undergone treatment for cancer. The approach utilizes liquid biopsies to analyze circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) in the blood, which can indicate the presence of remaining cancer cells. By employing a novel technique called MRDetect, the research aims to enhance the sensitivity of ctDNA detection, allowing for earlier intervention and optimization of therapies. This could significantly improve patient outcomes by preventing cancer recurrence.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are cancer patients who have recently undergone surgery or treatment and are at risk of minimal residual disease.

Not a fit: Patients with advanced cancer who are not undergoing treatment or those without a history of cancer may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective monitoring of cancer patients, allowing for timely adjustments in treatment to prevent cancer recurrence.

How similar studies have performed: Other research has shown promise in using liquid biopsies for cancer detection, indicating that this approach could be a significant advancement in the field.

Where this research is happening

New York, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions advanced diseaseanti-cancer therapy
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.