Monitoring breast cancer treatment using blood tests for tumor DNA

Treatment monitoring in early and locally advanced breast cancer using circulating tumor DNA analysis

NIH-funded research University of Wisconsin-Madison · NIH-11136406

This study is looking at how to better treat people with early and locally advanced breast cancer by checking for tiny bits of cancer DNA in their blood, which could help doctors spot any remaining cancer sooner and tailor treatments to each patient, reducing the chance of unnecessary therapies.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Madison, United States)
Project IDNIH-11136406 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on improving treatment for patients with early and locally advanced breast cancer by analyzing circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) in their blood. The goal is to develop a more sensitive method for detecting minimal residual disease, which can help personalize treatment plans and reduce unnecessary therapies. By using a novel approach called TARgeted DIgital Sequencing (TARDIS), the researchers aim to identify cancer recurrence earlier than current imaging methods allow. This could lead to better outcomes and less overtreatment for patients.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with early or locally advanced breast cancer who are undergoing neoadjuvant or adjuvant therapy.

Not a fit: Patients with metastatic breast cancer or those who are not undergoing treatment for early or locally advanced breast cancer may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more personalized treatment plans for breast cancer patients, reducing unnecessary therapies and improving overall survival rates.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promise in using ctDNA analysis for monitoring cancer treatment, indicating that this approach could be a significant advancement in breast cancer care.

Where this research is happening

Madison, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions advanced breast canceradvanced stage breast cancer
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.