Mapping early lung changes that can lead to lung cancer
Official title: The Pulmonary Pre-malignancy Atlas in the Lung Adenocarcinoma Spectrum
Funded at VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System · NIH-11212789 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project uses low-dose CT scans and tumor DNA and immune markers to find patterns that predict which small lung nodules are likely to be dangerous for people at risk of lung cancer, especially veterans.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, United States) |
| Project start | October 1, 2022 |
| Project end | September 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| NIH project number | 5I01BX005721-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11212789 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with a history of smoking or who have small lung nodules on low-dose CT — particularly Veterans or participants in lung screening programs — are the most relevant candidates for this research.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without lung nodules, those with non-adenocarcinoma lung cancers, or people who lack CT imaging or tumor genetic data are unlikely to benefit directly from this project.
What this research studies
From your point of view, the team is combining CT images taken over time with tumor genetic tests and immune-stain data to build a detailed atlas of early lung changes. They use samples and imaging from screened people (including Veterans) who had low-dose CT at multiple time points and long-term follow-up. Advanced image analysis, whole-exome sequencing, and multiplex immunofluorescence are linked to clinical outcomes to separate nodules that behaved aggressively from those that stayed indolent. The goal is a tool doctors can use to decide who needs treatment versus watchful waiting.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help doctors distinguish dangerous nodules from harmless ones, reducing unnecessary procedures and catching aggressive cancers earlier.
How similar studies have gone: CT screening has been shown to save lives and some prior studies have linked imaging features to tumor genomics, but combining long-term LDCT imaging with detailed tumor genetics and immune profiling to predict nodule behavior is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
-
VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System
Los Angeles, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Tran, Linh M — VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System
- Study coordinator: Tran, Linh M
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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.