Exploring mast cells to improve prostate cancer screening and diagnosis
Official title: Novel modalities for prostate cancer screening: mast cells as predictors of disease, disease aggressiveness and marks of disease disparity
Funded at University of South Carolina at Columbia · NIH-10831544 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain cells in the body might help us find prostate cancer earlier, especially for African American men who are at greater risk, by examining tissue samples to spot changes that could signal cancer or more serious forms of the disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of South Carolina at Columbia NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Columbia, United States) |
| Project start | June 1, 2023 |
| Project end | May 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $165,436 |
| NIH project number | 5R21CA274021-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10831544 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include men, particularly African American men, who are undergoing prostate biopsies or are at risk for prostate cancer.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have already been diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer or those who do not require biopsy for diagnosis may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the role of mast cells in prostate cancer to enhance screening and diagnosis, particularly for African American men who are at higher risk. The study aims to identify specific cellular and molecular changes in benign prostate biopsies that may indicate the presence of cancer or aggressive disease. By analyzing samples from both cancer-bearing and benign biopsies, the researchers hope to uncover reliable biomarkers that can lead to earlier detection and better treatment outcomes. The approach includes comparing samples from age- and race-matched individuals to ensure the findings are relevant across different populations.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more accurate prostate cancer screening methods, reducing the number of missed diagnoses and improving patient outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: While the role of mast cells in cancer is a growing area of interest, this specific approach to using them as biomarkers for prostate cancer screening is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested.
Where this research is happening
-
University of South Carolina at Columbia
Columbia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Oskeritzian, Carole a — University of South Carolina at Columbia
- Study coordinator: Oskeritzian, Carole a
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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.