Fast, low-cost cartridge test to detect breast cancer from needle samples
DEVELOPMENT OF AN AUTOMATED CARTRIDGE-BASED BREAST CANCER DETECTION ASSAY- AN ACADEMIC-INDUSTRIAL PARTNERSHIP
An affordable automated cartridge test that looks for cancer-linked DNA changes in needle-collected breast samples and returns results in under three hours for women with a palpable lump.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Johns Hopkins University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11097238 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you have a breast lump, this project is creating a low-cost cartridge test that uses a tiny needle sample to look for DNA changes often seen in breast cancer. The lab process converts and analyzes DNA methylation on a small panel of genes and runs the steps automatically on a cartridge machine so results come back quickly. The team is optimizing the chemistry and picking the best five-gene panel by comparing known malignant and benign samples and standard pathology. The aim is to give clinics, especially in low- and middle-income countries, a rapid way to prioritize who needs faster biopsy and pathology review.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Women with a palpable breast lump who are undergoing fine-needle aspiration or biopsy, especially in clinics with limited access to pathology, are the ideal candidates.
Not a fit: Women without a palpable lump or those who need full pathology and tumor receptor profiling for treatment decisions are unlikely to benefit from this diagnostic screening assay.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: It could let women get a quick on-site test that identifies likely cancers so biopsies and treatment can happen sooner.
How similar studies have performed: Earlier prototype work and studies using methylation markers have shown promise, but a single-cartridge, rapid automated test is a novel advancement.
Where this research is happening
Baltimore, United States
- Johns Hopkins University — Baltimore, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sukumar, Saraswati — Johns Hopkins University
- Study coordinator: Sukumar, Saraswati
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.