Fast CRISPR-based cervical cancer screening test
Official title: Composing CODAs to cervical cancer screening through an integrated CRISPR and fluorescent nucleic acid approach
Funded at Massachusetts General Hospital · NIH-11399239 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project develops a quick, low-cost CRISPR and fluorescence test to detect HPV and early cervical changes for women in low-resource clinics.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts General Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $124,429 |
| NIH project number | 3U01CA279858-03S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11399239 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are women eligible for cervical cancer screening at partner clinics in low-resource settings (for example, screening-age women at sites in Uganda and Ghana).
✕Less likely to help
People who already need immediate cancer treatment, have had a hysterectomy removing the cervix, or who are outside participating regions are unlikely to gain direct benefit from this screening-focused work.
What this research studies
The team combines CRISPR molecular detection with a fluorescence anisotropy readout (called CODA) to produce automated nucleic acid results in under 30 minutes. They have validated the approach on human samples and are adapting the workflow and devices so clinicians and lab staff can use it at point-of-care sites. The plan includes operationalizing the test with partner clinics in Uganda and Ghana and incorporating local input to fit low-resource settings. Training, implementation, and real-world testing at those sites are part of the project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could provide same-day, affordable, and accurate HPV and precancer detection in clinics with limited lab capacity, helping catch disease earlier and reduce deaths.
How similar studies have gone: Other CRISPR-based diagnostic approaches have shown promising rapid detection of viral and cancer-related nucleic acids, but CODA's specific fluorescence anisotropy method and its operationalization for low-resource clinics are relatively new.
Where this research is happening
-
Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Castro, Cesar M — Massachusetts General Hospital
- Study coordinator: Castro, Cesar M
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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mSaada: a mobile tool to boost cervical cancer screening in western Kenya
A mobile app helps community health volunteers manage cervical cancer screening tasks and follow-up for women in low-resource areas.
-
HPV self-collection in HIV care to screen for cervical cancer in Ethiopia
A patient-centered program tests a simple HPV self-collection approach within HIV clinics in Ethiopia to help detect cervical cancer earlier.
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HOPE-inG: Increasing cervical cancer screening for women with HIV in Ghana
A study tests a home-based HPV self-sampling approach plus a tailored communication plan to help women living with HIV in Ghana get screened more often for cervical cancer.
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CODA-based cervical cancer screening for LMICs using CRISPR and fluorescence
A low-resource, rapid test called CODA uses CRISPR and light signals to detect cervical cancer markers in women in sub-Saharan Africa to improve screening.
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CODA-based cervical cancer screening in low-resource settings
A new, quick, low-cost test using CRISPR and fluorescence readouts to help screen for cervical cancer in women in sub-Saharan Africa.
-
CATSystem: a digital tool to boost cervical cancer screening and follow-up in Kenya
A digital tracking system helps doctors and patients in Kenya improve cervical cancer screening, treatment referrals, and follow-up, especially for women living with HIV.
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.