Exosome-based microRNA biomarkers for early, non-invasive detection of pancreatic cancer
Official title: Exosome-based microRNA biomarkers for Non-invasive and Early Detection of Pancreatic Cancer
Funded at Beckman Research Institute/city of Hope · NIH-11411356 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study to test a blood test that looks at tiny RNA bits in exosomes to detect pancreatic cancer early without surgery or invasive procedures.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Beckman Research Institute/city of Hope NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Duarte, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2017 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $861,010 |
| NIH project number | 5U01CA214254-09 |
| Project ID | NIH-11411356 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults at risk for or suspected of having pancreatic cancer who can provide blood samples for microRNA analysis and follow-up testing.
✕Less likely to help
If the biomarker panel does not perform as hoped, participants may not receive direct clinical benefit beyond standard care.
What this research studies
This project aims to develop a non-invasive blood-based test using exosome-contained microRNAs to identify pancreatic cancer at an earlier stage. Researchers will analyze circulating cf-miRNAs and exosome miRNAs with advanced bioinformatics and machine-learning to create a diagnostic signature. The goal is to improve early detection when treatment is more likely to be successful, potentially shifting the prognosis for pancreatic cancer patients. Patients may contribute blood samples and participate in analyses that help validate the biomarker panel and its accuracy. The work builds on prior findings that certain miRNA panels can distinguish early disease from controls with high confidence.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the biomarker panel could enable earlier, less invasive detection of pancreatic cancer, improving treatment chances and survival.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work has identified specific cf-miRNA and exo-miRNA signatures that differentiate early PDAC from controls, supporting further validation.
Where this research is happening
-
Beckman Research Institute/city of Hope
Duarte, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Goel, Ajay — Beckman Research Institute/city of Hope
- Study coordinator: Goel, Ajay
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Microbial Dysbiosis and Its Role in Pancreatic Cancer
A doctor-researcher team at Northwestern University is studying how gut bacteria influence pancreatic cancer and its response to immunotherapy to find new ways to help patients.
-
Targeting aberrant enhancer landscapes in pancreatic cancer
A patient-facing look at a project that aims to understand how pancreatic cancer changes its cell identity and what that means for treatment.
-
Exosome-based microRNA biomarkers for early, non-invasive detection of pancreatic cancer
A study to develop a blood test that uses tiny RNA signals in exosomes to detect pancreatic cancer early, aiming to help people at risk or with early disease.
-
Exosome-based microRNA biomarkers for early detection of pancreatic cancer
A patient-friendly look at a study using tiny blood-based RNA markers inside exosomes to catch pancreatic cancer early without invasive procedures.
-
Programmable implanted living materials to fight pancreatic cancer
A patient-facing program will explore a safe, implantable living material that delivers sequential immunotherapies directly to pancreatic tumors to help fight cancer.
-
Targeting how platelets and pancreatic cancer talk to each other
A study exploring whether blocking the interaction between platelets and pancreatic cancer cells could slow cancer growth and spread and help identify new biomarkers.
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.