Developing a blood test to improve early detection of breast cancer.

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NIH-funded research Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center · NIH-11123887

This study is working on a new blood test to help find breast cancer earlier, especially for women with dense breast tissue, so that doctors can catch more cases that mammograms might miss.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionFred Hutchinson Cancer Center NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Seattle, United States)
Project IDNIH-11123887 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research aims to create a blood-based test that complements mammography for the early detection of breast cancer. Current mammography methods can miss about one in seven breast cancers, particularly in women with dense breast tissue. By utilizing advanced biomarker discovery techniques and patient-derived xenograft models, the study will identify and validate specific protein biomarkers in blood samples. The goal is to enhance the sensitivity and specificity of breast cancer detection, potentially leading to earlier diagnosis and better outcomes for patients.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research include women at high risk for breast cancer, particularly those with dense breast tissue.

Not a fit: Patients who have already been diagnosed with advanced breast cancer may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to a more accurate and reliable method for early breast cancer detection, improving survival rates.

How similar studies have performed: Other research has shown promise in using blood tests for cancer detection, indicating that this approach could be effective.

Where this research is happening

Seattle, 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.
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.