Improving blood tests for detecting cancer DNA
Official title: Molecular Mediators of Cell-free DNA biogenesis
Funded at Vanderbilt University Medical Center · NIH-11048477 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on making blood tests better at finding tiny pieces of DNA from cancer cells, so that it can more accurately tell if someone has cancer or not, helping patients get more reliable screening and monitoring.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Vanderbilt University Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Nashville, United States) |
| Project start | December 16, 2024 |
| Project end | November 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $670,147 |
| NIH project number | 1R01CA289528-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11048477 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals undergoing evaluation for cancer or those with a history of cancer who require monitoring.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with conditions unrelated to cancer or those who are not undergoing cancer treatment may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on enhancing the sensitivity of liquid biopsies, which are blood tests that detect cell-free DNA (cfDNA) shed by cancer cells. By developing new methods to identify circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) more effectively, the goal is to improve the accuracy of these tests in distinguishing between patients with and without cancer. The research will explore innovative technologies to increase the amount of ctDNA that can be detected from a single blood sample, addressing current limitations in clinical sensitivity. This could lead to more reliable cancer screening and monitoring options for patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more accurate blood tests for cancer detection, improving early diagnosis and treatment outcomes for patients.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in enhancing liquid biopsy technologies, indicating potential for success in this area.
Where this research is happening
-
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Nashville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Park, Ben Ho — Vanderbilt University Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Park, Ben Ho
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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.