Finding Colorectal Cancer Early Through Blood Tests
Single-molecule nanopore-based identification of methylome signatures in cfDNA for early colorectal cancer detection
This project is developing a new blood test to find colorectal cancer at its earliest stages, potentially even before symptoms appear.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Stanford University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Stanford, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11176855 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Doctors are exploring "liquid biopsies," which are blood tests that look for tiny pieces of DNA from cancer cells floating in your bloodstream. This project focuses on finding special chemical tags, called methylome signatures, on this DNA that can indicate cancer. Researchers are developing a new, advanced nanopore sequencing technology to read these DNA tags more accurately than current methods. The aim is to overcome existing challenges and make it easier to find colorectal cancer at its earliest stages, potentially even before it becomes a serious problem.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This research is most relevant for individuals who could benefit from earlier detection of colorectal cancer, including those at higher risk.
Not a fit: Patients who already have a confirmed diagnosis of colorectal cancer may not directly benefit from this early detection method.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this new blood test could allow doctors to detect colorectal cancer much earlier, leading to more effective treatments and better outcomes.
How similar studies have performed: While liquid biopsies for cancer detection are an emerging field, this project introduces a novel nanopore-based sequencing approach to improve accuracy and overcome limitations of current methods.
Where this research is happening
Stanford, United States
- Stanford University — Stanford, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ji, Hanlee P — Stanford University
- Study coordinator: Ji, Hanlee P
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.