Finding blood markers to detect liver cancer early in Hispanic patients with hepatitis B.
Official title: Biomarkers for Early Detection of Hepatitis B-Related Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Hispanics
Funded at University of Minnesota · NIH-11050291 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking for blood tests that can help predict if people with hepatitis B, especially those in the Hispanic community, might develop liver cancer early on, making it easier to catch and treat the disease before it gets serious.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R37 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Minnesota NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Minneapolis, United States) |
| Project start | January 10, 2025 |
| Project end | December 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $580,238 |
| NIH project number | 1R37CA297814-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11050291 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are Hispanic individuals with chronic hepatitis B infection.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without hepatitis B infection or those with advanced liver disease may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on identifying immune-related blood biomarkers that can predict the early development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in individuals infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV), particularly among Hispanics. Current screening methods rely on ultrasound, which can be inconsistent and poorly adhered to due to various challenges. The study aims to explore whether a non-visual approach using blood tests can provide a more reliable and accessible means of early detection. By analyzing serum samples, researchers hope to uncover specific immune markers that indicate the risk of developing HCC, potentially leading to earlier and more effective interventions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could enable earlier detection of liver cancer in patients with hepatitis B, improving treatment outcomes and survival rates.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using immune markers for cancer prediction, suggesting that this approach may be viable.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Minnesota
Minneapolis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Debes, Jose Daniel — University of Minnesota
- Study coordinator: Debes, Jose Daniel
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Blood markers to catch early liver cancer in Hispanic people with hepatitis B
This project will see if a blood test can find liver cancer earlier in Hispanic people who have chronic hepatitis B.
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Early blood markers to find hepatitis B–related liver cancer in Hispanics
This project will use immune-related blood markers to find liver cancer earlier in people with chronic hepatitis B, focusing on Hispanic adults.
-
HBV integrations in KMT2B may drive liver cancer
Aims to understand how hepatitis B can cause liver cancer by studying HBV inserts in the KMT2B gene and how these changes affect liver cells.
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Blood test to detect early liver cancer in Hispanic people with hepatitis B
This project looks at whether a blood-based panel of immune markers can find early liver cancer in Hispanic adults who have chronic hepatitis B.
-
Understanding how Hepatitis B causes liver cancer
This research explores how the Hepatitis B virus changes a specific gene to cause liver cancer, hoping to find new ways to help patients.
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Using blood tests to detect liver cancer in patients with hepatitis B in Nigeria.
This study is looking to create a simple blood test that can help find liver cancer in people with chronic hepatitis B by checking the levels of certain DNA in their immune cells, and it's for patients visiting gastroenterology clinics in Lagos, Nigeria.
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.