H3K27M ctDNA Test for Tracking Diffuse Midline Glioma
Official title: Analytical and Clinical Validation of an H3K27M ctDNA Assay for Diffuse Midline Glioma (DMG) Surveillance
Funded at University of Michigan at Ann Arbor · NIH-11401915 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A minimally invasive blood or CSF test is being developed to detect a specific cancer marker and monitor brain tumor growth in children with DMG.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Michigan at Ann Arbor NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Ann Arbor, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2025 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $210,600 |
| NIH project number | 5UH2CA302680-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11401915 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Children diagnosed with Diffuse Midline Glioma (DMG), particularly those with H3K27M mutations.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without DMG or without detectable H3K27M mutations may not benefit from this test.
What this research studies
This project aims to translate a research-level blood and CSF DNA test into a clinical-grade tool that can flag H3K27M mutations in DMG patients. The team will optimize a ddPCR assay to reliably detect very small amounts of tumor DNA in plasma and CSF. The work focuses on ensuring the test is repeatable, accurate, and suitable for clinical lab use to help guide treatment decisions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the test could provide earlier and more precise information about tumor status, complementing MRI scans to tailor patient care.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research showed ddPCR can detect H3K27M ctDNA at very low levels but lacks clinical-grade standardization; this project builds toward that standardization.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Koschmann, Carl J — University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
- Study coordinator: Koschmann, Carl J
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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.