Mobile DNA markers that may tell aggressive from slow prostate cancer
Official title: Polymorphic L1 transposons as a Genetic Variable Distinguishing Aggressive from Indolent Prostate Cancer
Funded at Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care · NIH-11213949 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks for specific mobile DNA elements in men's genomes that could flag prostate cancers likely to become aggressive.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New Orleans, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2022 |
| Project end | December 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| NIH project number | 5I01BX005633-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11213949 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are men with prostate cancer who can provide a blood or tumor DNA sample, especially those with early-stage or localized disease interested in risk information.
✕Less likely to help
People without prostate cancer or men whose tumors do not carry these pL1 markers are unlikely to benefit from this specific test.
What this research studies
From a patient's point of view, researchers will look at DNA from men with prostate cancer to find mobile genetic elements called polymorphic L1s and compare who developed metastatic versus indolent disease. They will analyze whole-genome sequencing data from patient cohorts and use a newly developed high-throughput lab test to detect these pL1 markers in blood or tumor DNA. The team will link the presence and number of pL1s to cancer outcomes to see if the markers reliably predict aggressive disease. If the markers perform well, the goal is to turn the lab test into a clinical tool that helps doctors identify high-risk patients earlier.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could help doctors identify men at higher risk of metastatic prostate cancer earlier so they can offer closer monitoring or earlier, targeted treatment.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work has shown pL1 elements can disrupt genes and contribute to cancer, but using pL1 presence as a predictive clinical biomarker for aggressive prostate cancer is a novel and emerging approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care
New Orleans, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Belancio, Victoria Perepelitsa — Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care
- Study coordinator: Belancio, Victoria Perepelitsa
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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.