Developing a blood test to improve early detection of breast cancer
Core - Biomarker Reference Laboratory
This study is working on a new blood test to help find breast cancer earlier, especially for women with dense breast tissue, by looking for specific proteins in their blood that could make mammograms even more accurate.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11123891 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. It addresses the limitations of mammography, which can miss approximately one in seven breast cancers, particularly in women with dense breast tissue. The project utilizes advanced biomarker discovery techniques and mass spectrometry to identify and validate protein biomarkers in blood samples from breast cancer patients. By enhancing the sensitivity and specificity of breast cancer detection, this test could significantly improve early diagnosis and treatment outcomes.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are women at high risk for breast cancer, particularly those with dense breast tissue.
Not a fit: Patients who do not have breast cancer or those who are not at risk for breast cancer may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to earlier and more accurate detection of breast cancer, potentially saving lives.
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
- Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center — Seattle, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hoofnagle, Andrew N — Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center
- Study coordinator: Hoofnagle, Andrew N
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 below.