Extracellular Vesicle Clues to Diagnose and Predict Malignant Pleural Effusion
Official title: Extracellular Vesicle Cargoes as Diagnostic and Prognostic Biomarkers of Malignant Pleural Effusion
Funded at Vanderbilt University Medical Center · NIH-11432311 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study at Vanderbilt aims to use tiny particles shed by cancer cells in pleural fluid to improve diagnosis and prognosis of malignant pleural effusion.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Vanderbilt University Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Nashville, United States) |
| Project start | September 23, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $726,231 |
| NIH project number | 1R01CA316439-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11432311 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with pleural effusion being evaluated for possible cancer-related causes (including suspected malignant pleural effusion).
✕Less likely to help
Patients with non-malignant pleural effusions or those not undergoing biomarker testing may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project focuses on pleural effusions, where current tests miss about half of malignant cases. Researchers will analyze extracellular vesicles in pleural fluid to find miRNA and protein signatures that distinguish malignant from non-malignant effusions and relate to patient outcomes. The study builds on prior work showing tumor-derived vesicles in fluid can carry cancer-specific signals, and will validate cargo patterns that could guide faster, less invasive diagnosis and prognosis. If successful, these biomarkers could reduce the need for invasive biopsies and help tailor treatment decisions for patients with pleural involvement by cancer.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could receive faster and more accurate diagnoses with less invasive procedures, potentially guiding earlier treatment.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work has identified EV-derived signatures that differentiate malignant from non-m malignant effusions and linked EV cargo to survival, supporting potential translation.
Where this research is happening
-
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Nashville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Shojaee, Samira — Vanderbilt University Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Shojaee, Samira
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Improving cancer testing from pleural (chest) fluid
Researchers are using DNA found in chest fluid to try to make cancer testing faster and less invasive for people with advanced cancers that cause pleural effusions.
-
Analyzing best practices for testing fluid samples from lung cancer patients
This study is looking at ways to make it easier for people with advanced cancer and fluid buildup in their lungs to get important genetic information about their tumors, using a simple procedure that removes the fluid, so doctors can make better treatment choices.
-
Feasibility of a disposable flexible bronchoscope for thoracoscopy compared with a semi-rigid pleuroscope in pleural effusion
This study tests whether a single-use flexible bronchoscope can be used safely and effectively for medical thoracoscopy in patients with pleural effusion, compared with the standard semi-rigid pleuroscope.
-
Bubble PEP plus Segmental Breathing versus Incentive Spirometry for children with pleural effusion
This trial will test whether bubble positive expiratory pressure with segmental breathing helps children aged 5–16 with pleural effusion breathe better than incentive spirometry.
-
Once-daily intrapleural enzyme treatment for complicated pleural infections
This will see if giving tPA and DNase once a day through a chest tube works as well as giving them twice a day for people with complicated pleural infections.
-
Pleural fluid biomarker testing to help diagnose lung adenocarcinoma
This project will test whether measuring new molecular markers in pleural fluid can help diagnose lung adenocarcinoma in adults who need thoracentesis.
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.