Investigating factors that affect blood tests for early breast cancer detection

Pre-analytical factors affecting ctDNA analysis in early and locally advanced breast cancer

NIH-funded research University of Wisconsin-Madison · NIH-10691211

This study is looking at how different ways of collecting and processing blood samples can help improve blood tests that check for early signs of breast cancer, and it's for patients with early or locally advanced breast cancer.

Quick facts

Grant typeU01 cooperative agreement
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Madison, United States)
Project IDNIH-10691211 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on improving the analysis of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) in patients with early and locally advanced breast cancer. By examining how different methods of blood collection, processing, and DNA extraction impact ctDNA levels, the study aims to enhance the accuracy of blood tests that could detect cancer at earlier stages. The research will involve 180 patients and will utilize newly developed assays to assess the quality of ctDNA samples. Understanding these pre-analytical factors is crucial for minimizing false-negative results in early-stage cancer detection.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with early or locally advanced breast cancer.

Not a fit: Patients with metastatic breast cancer or those not diagnosed with breast cancer may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more reliable blood tests for early detection of breast cancer, potentially improving patient outcomes.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promise in using ctDNA analysis for advanced cancers, but this specific approach for early-stage cancers is relatively novel.

Where this research is happening

Madison, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions Breast CancerCancers
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.