Early blood markers to find hepatitis B–related liver cancer in Hispanics
Biomarkers for Early Detection of Hepatitis B-Related Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Hispanics
This project will use immune-related blood markers to find liver cancer earlier in people with chronic hepatitis B, focusing on Hispanic adults.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R37 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Minnesota NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Minneapolis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11473604 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You may be asked to give blood samples so researchers can measure immune-related proteins in your serum. The team will compare blood marker patterns from people with hepatitis B who later develop liver cancer to those who do not. They plan to see if these markers can flag cancer earlier than routine ultrasound screening, especially in younger Hispanic patients who can get cancer outside usual screening ages. The goal is a simpler, standardized blood-based screening option that could complement or reduce reliance on operator-dependent imaging.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults with chronic hepatitis B infection, particularly Hispanic individuals and those who might develop liver cancer at younger ages than typical screening guidelines cover.
Not a fit: People without hepatitis B, those with other non-HBV liver diseases, or patients who already have advanced liver cancer are unlikely to benefit from this screening research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could lead to a blood test that detects hepatitis B–related liver cancer earlier and more reliably, making curative treatments more likely.
How similar studies have performed: The investigators previously found immune markers in serum that predicted future liver cancer up to two years before diagnosis, so this approach has promising preliminary evidence but needs validation.
Where this research is happening
Minneapolis, United States
- University of Minnesota — Minneapolis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Debes, Jose Daniel — University of Minnesota
- Study coordinator: Debes, Jose Daniel
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.