Liquid biopsy for monitoring high-grade glioma using patient-specific DNA junctions
Official title: Assay Validation of Cell-free DNA Amplified DNA Junctions for High Grade Glioma Monitoring
Funded at Mayo Clinic Rochester · NIH-11457457 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A Mayo Clinic team tests a blood test that looks for unique tumor DNA pieces in glioblastoma patients to monitor disease without frequent scans.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Mayo Clinic Rochester NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Rochester, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2025 |
| Project end | July 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $402,746 |
| NIH project number | 4UH3CA299358-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11457457 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with high-grade glioma (grade 4 astrocytoma/glioblastoma) who have undergone resection and are under monitoring.
✕Less likely to help
Patients whose tumors do not shed detectable ctDNA or whose condition is not monitored by liquid biopsy may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project centers on patients with grade 4 astrocytoma (glioblastoma) and seeks a blood-based tool to track tumor changes. Researchers will identify unique chromosomal junctions from each patient’s tumor and then detect them in plasma circulating tumor DNA over time. The study builds on prior work in other cancers and aims to provide a more sensitive, non-invasive way to catch progression earlier than current MRI criteria. If successful, the test could complement or shorten the need for frequent imaging and help guide treatment decisions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could benefit from earlier detection of tumor changes and fewer invasive monitoring steps.
How similar studies have gone: Preliminary data in other cancers show ctDNA-based monitoring can reflect tumor dynamics, with ongoing work in brain tumors showing promise.
Where this research is happening
-
Mayo Clinic Rochester
Rochester, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Vasmatzis, George — Mayo Clinic Rochester
- Study coordinator: Vasmatzis, George
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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.