Improving hepatitis C diagnosis to prevent liver cancer in low- and middle-income countries.
Official title: Active HCV diagnosis to support prevention of HCC in LMICs
Funded at Northwestern University · NIH-10950642 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on a new, easy-to-use test to quickly diagnose active hepatitis C infections, especially for people in places like Nigeria where lab tests are hard to get, so that those who are infected can get the treatment they need to stay healthy and avoid serious complications.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Northwestern University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | August 9, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $592,027 |
| NIH project number | 1U01CA292771-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10950642 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals living in low- and middle-income countries who have tested positive for hepatitis C and are at risk of developing liver cancer.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not infected with hepatitis C or those who have already received effective treatment for the virus may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a new point-of-care test for diagnosing active hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections, particularly in low- and middle-income countries like Nigeria, where access to laboratory testing is limited. By confirming active infections quickly, the project aims to link patients to necessary treatment, which can significantly reduce the risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The approach involves validating a test on the DASH™ platform, which could streamline the diagnosis process and facilitate timely care for those affected by HCV. The ultimate goal is to combat the HCV epidemic and its associated complications.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to earlier diagnosis and treatment of hepatitis C, significantly reducing the incidence of liver cancer among affected populations.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown success in developing point-of-care tests for various infections, indicating potential for this approach in hepatitis C diagnosis.
Where this research is happening
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Northwestern University
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mcfall, Sally Maureen — Northwestern University
- Study coordinator: Mcfall, Sally Maureen
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.