Multi-marker urine test to detect bladder cancer coming back
Official title: Multiplex and multi-omic diagnostic test for bladder cancer recurrence
Funded at Early Is Good INC. · NIH-11195583 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project offers a urine test that looks for multiple cancer markers to help people treated for bladder cancer spot recurrence sooner.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 2 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Early Is Good INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Muncie, United States) |
| Project start | September 20, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $829,733 |
| NIH project number | 5R44CA291290-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11195583 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are people who have been treated for bladder cancer and are under surveillance for recurrence who can provide urine samples.
✕Less likely to help
People without a history of bladder cancer, those with cancers of other organs, or patients unable to provide urine samples may not benefit from this project.
What this research studies
You would provide a urine sample that the company’s BCDx test analyzes using advanced nanotechnology to read twelve different biomarkers at once. The test measures several types of markers (proteins, microRNAs, messenger RNAs, and long noncoding RNAs) to create a multi-omic picture instead of relying on a single signal. Early lab and feasibility work showed very high sensitivity and the ability to separate healthy urine from cancerous samples and to distinguish low- from high-grade tumors. This project aims to further validate those results so the test could be used during routine surveillance for recurrence.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the test could let patients check for recurrence with a simple urine sample and reduce the need for frequent invasive cystoscopies.
How similar studies have gone: Existing single-marker urine tests have had limited accuracy, and while other multi-marker approaches are emerging, this specific multi-omic, multiplex nanotechnology approach is relatively new with only early feasibility data so far.
Where this research is happening
-
Early Is Good INC.
Muncie, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Liyanage, Thakshila — Early Is Good INC.
- Study coordinator: Liyanage, Thakshila
Related research
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Non-invasive urine tests for monitoring bladder cancer
This study is testing a new, easier way to check for bladder cancer using urine samples, which could help find out if the cancer comes back and how well treatments are working, making it more comfortable for patients than older methods.
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A new urine test to detect bladder cancer recurrence
This study is testing a new, easy urine test called BCDx that uses advanced technology to check for signs of bladder cancer without needing any invasive procedures, making it a friendlier option for patients who need to monitor their condition.
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Keloid recurrence study using multi-omics in diverse patients
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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.