Molecular risk testing for stomach precancerous changes
Project 3: Molecular Risk Stratification of Gastric Precancerous Lesions
This project uses sensitive DNA and RNA sequencing to find hidden Helicobacter pylori and gene activity patterns to help people with stomach precancerous changes understand their risk of getting worse.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P01 program project |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Stanford University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Stanford, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11179411 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would have stomach biopsy samples analyzed with highly sensitive sequencing to detect H. pylori that standard tests might miss and to read gene activity in the stomach lining. About 300 people who are histology-negative for H. pylori will get RNA sequencing to find a gene-expression pattern linked to higher risk of intestinal metaplasia progression. The team will convert that risky gene signature into a practical multiplex immunohistochemistry (IHC) test that could be used in pathology labs. Results could guide targeted eradication treatment and closer follow-up to try to prevent H. pylori comeback and stop precancerous changes from advancing.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are people with gastric intestinal metaplasia or other stomach precancerous changes who test negative for H. pylori by standard histology.
Not a fit: People without stomach precancerous changes or those with clearly positive H. pylori tests by routine methods are unlikely to benefit from this specific project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reduce H. pylori recurrence and help stop precancerous stomach lesions from progressing toward cancer.
How similar studies have performed: Previous work has shown hidden H. pylori can persist after treatment and molecular detection methods can find these organisms, but translating a gene-expression risk signature into a clinical test and using it to guide eradication is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
Stanford, United States
- Stanford University — Stanford, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hwang, Joo Ha — Stanford University
- Study coordinator: Hwang, Joo Ha
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.