Improving early detection of lung cancer using blood tests.
Official title: EFIRM Liquid Biopsy Research Laboratory: Early Lung Cancer Assessment
Funded at University of California Los Angeles · NIH-10929472 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at a new way to help find lung cancer earlier by using blood tests to check for specific markers, which could help people with unclear lung nodules avoid unnecessary procedures.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California Los Angeles NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, United States) |
| Project start | September 13, 2018 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $878,436 |
| NIH project number | 5U01CA233370-07 |
| Project ID | NIH-10929472 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who have been identified with indeterminate pulmonary nodules through CT imaging.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without any detected pulmonary nodules or those with confirmed lung cancer may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on enhancing the early detection of lung cancer through the use of liquid biopsies, which analyze tumor biomarkers found in blood samples. By developing personalized cancer-specific targets and refining technologies to detect these biomarkers, the project aims to differentiate between benign and potentially malignant pulmonary nodules identified through CT scans. Patients with indeterminate pulmonary nodules may benefit from non-invasive testing that could reduce the need for invasive procedures. The research is part of a larger effort to improve cancer assessment and outcomes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more accurate and less invasive methods for diagnosing lung cancer at an early stage.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using liquid biopsies for cancer detection, indicating that this approach may lead to significant advancements in early cancer assessment.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wong, David T — University of California Los Angeles
- Study coordinator: Wong, David T
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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.