Lab creating blood tests to detect lung cancer early
Core - Biomarker Development Laboratory (BDL)
This project aims to create more accurate blood tests that find tiny bits of tumor DNA in people at risk for lung cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11164635 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
The team is developing blood tests that look for DNA methylation changes in tiny fragments of tumor DNA circulating in your blood to catch lung cancer earlier. They will build panels of methylation markers and refine lab methods to detect very small amounts of circulating tumor DNA in plasma. The work uses high-quality blood samples collected prospectively and includes efforts to determine whether detected DNA comes from the lung or another common cancer. Proven methods will be moved into a certified clinical lab (CLIA) so the tests can be standardized for patient use.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People at higher risk for lung cancer—for example older current or former smokers—or those willing to donate blood samples for biomarker research are the most likely candidates to contribute.
Not a fit: People without lung cancer, those who cannot give blood, or patients whose tumors do not shed detectable DNA into the bloodstream may not receive direct benefit from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could lead to a noninvasive blood test that finds lung cancer earlier when treatments are more likely to succeed.
How similar studies have performed: Other methylation-based circulating tumor DNA tests have shown promising early results, but detecting very small amounts of ctDNA for early lung cancer remains challenging and this project aims to improve on those approaches.
Where this research is happening
Pittsburgh, United States
- University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh — Pittsburgh, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Herman, James G. — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Herman, James G.
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 below.