Finding small cell lung cancer early using blood tests and advanced imaging

Autoantibodies to tumor-derived neoepitopes as biomarkers and immunoPET agents for the early detection of small cell lung cancer

NIH-funded research Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center · NIH-11161176

This project aims to find special antibodies in the blood to detect small cell lung cancer at its earliest stages, especially in people who smoke.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionFred Hutchinson Cancer Center NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Seattle, United States)
Project IDNIH-11161176 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

Small cell lung cancer is very dangerous when found late, but much more treatable when caught early. This project aims to develop a new way to find this cancer sooner by looking for specific antibodies in your blood. These antibodies are like natural signals your body makes in response to tiny cancer cells. We also hope to use these signals to create a special imaging scan that can pinpoint small tumors, helping doctors guide treatment and improve outcomes.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates would be individuals at high risk for lung cancer, such as heavy smokers, who undergo annual low-dose CT screenings.

Not a fit: Patients already diagnosed with advanced small cell lung cancer may not directly benefit from this early detection method.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this could lead to a highly effective way to detect small cell lung cancer much earlier, significantly improving survival rates for patients.

How similar studies have performed: While the specific combination of autoantibodies and immunoPET for SCLC early detection is novel, the concept of using biomarkers for early cancer detection and advanced imaging for tumor localization has shown promise in other cancer types.

Where this research is happening

Seattle, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.