Liquid biopsy for malignant effusions in metastatic breast cancer using AI-assisted tumor cell isolation
Official title: Developing liquid biopsy tests for malignant effusions using artificial intelligence-assisted, morphology-based isolation of tumor cells
Funded at University of California, San Francisco · NIH-11384165 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A woman with metastatic breast cancer could benefit from a new liquid biopsy approach that uses AI to pick out tumor cells from the fluid around the organs to guide treatment.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Francisco NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project start | August 12, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $2,008,777 |
| NIH project number | 4R01CA292019-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11384165 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with metastatic breast cancer experiencing malignant effusions who require fluid drainage and are eligible for molecular profiling.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without malignant cells in effusions or who cannot undergo sampling may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project aims to use fluid from malignant effusions as a source for a liquid biopsy, enabling molecular profiling when solid tissue is hard to obtain. By applying an AI-assisted, morphology-based method to isolate malignant cells from effusions, the team hopes to identify biomarkers that predict response or resistance to therapy. The work builds on prior pilot studies showing feasibility of characterizing ME-CTCs and seeks to scale this approach for clinical use. The project involves collaboration with a company that provides AI-based cell isolation to create a biomarker atlas for ME-CTCs. If successful, it could help tailor treatments for patients with advanced breast cancer and reduce unnecessary procedures.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could improve treatment decisions for patients with metastatic breast cancer by using fluid samples to guide targeted therapies.
How similar studies have gone: Preliminary work shows feasibility of ME-CTC isolation and molecular profiling using AI-based cell enrichment.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Francisco
San Francisco, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Magbanua, Mark Jesus — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Magbanua, Mark Jesus
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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.