How oxygen exposure affects clinical biomarkers in cancer research
Official title: The impact of oxygen exposure on clinical biomarkers - an underrecognized source of pre-analytic variability
Funded at Indiana University Indianapolis · NIH-11089323 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how the air we breathe can change the way cancer samples behave in the lab, which could affect how well treatments work and how we measure cancer markers, especially for people with breast and ovarian cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Indiana University Indianapolis NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Indianapolis, United States) |
| Project start | May 15, 2024 |
| Project end | April 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $355,651 |
| NIH project number | 5U01CA278865-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11089323 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include patients with breast or ovarian cancer who are undergoing treatment and have biospecimens collected for analysis.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have cancer or whose biospecimens are not being analyzed for biomarker studies may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how exposure to ambient air during the collection and processing of biospecimens can alter the biological signals in tumor and non-malignant samples. By using models of breast cancer and samples from ovarian cancer patients, the study examines the differences in signaling molecules when biospecimens are processed under controlled low oxygen conditions compared to normal air. The goal is to understand how these changes can impact the effectiveness of targeted therapies and the accuracy of biomarkers used in clinical settings.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more accurate biomarker assessments and improved treatment outcomes for cancer patients.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has indicated that pre-analytic variability significantly affects biomarker reliability, suggesting that this approach could yield important insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Indiana University Indianapolis
Indianapolis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Nakshatri, Harikrishna — Indiana University Indianapolis
- Study coordinator: Nakshatri, Harikrishna
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.