Improving diagnosis of Burkitt lymphoma in children using blood tests.
Official title: Enrichment for Tumor-derived Cell-free EBV DNA: Towards a Diagnostic Assay for Endemic Burkitt Lymphoma
Funded at Johns Hopkins University · NIH-11061865 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at a new way to help doctors quickly and accurately diagnose endemic Burkitt lymphoma in children by checking for a specific virus in their blood, which could lead to faster treatment and better outcomes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Johns Hopkins University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2024 |
| Project end | March 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $297,516 |
| NIH project number | 5U01CA271252-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11061865 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are children under 12 years old who present with symptoms suggestive of Burkitt lymphoma, particularly those with abdominal masses or jaw swelling.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with confirmed diagnoses of other types of cancer or those over the age of 11 may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on enhancing the diagnosis of endemic Burkitt lymphoma (eBL) in children by detecting tumor-derived cell-free EBV DNA in blood samples. The study aims to reduce diagnostic delays that can lead to advanced disease stages and poorer outcomes. By modifying specimen preparation techniques, the researchers hope to improve the specificity of EBV DNA as a marker for eBL, allowing for quicker and more accurate diagnoses. This could lead to timely treatment interventions for affected children.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to faster and more accurate diagnoses of Burkitt lymphoma in children, improving treatment outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using cell-free DNA for cancer detection, indicating potential success for this novel approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ambinder, Richard Frederick — Johns Hopkins University
- Study coordinator: Ambinder, Richard Frederick
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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.