New approaches for liver and bile-duct cancer care

Developmental Research Program

NIH-funded research Mayo Clinic Rochester · NIH-11178622

Small seed grants support new ideas aimed at creating better treatments and tests for people with liver and bile-duct cancers.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionMayo Clinic Rochester NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Rochester, United States)
Project IDNIH-11178622 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This program funds small, early-stage projects at the Mayo Clinic that try out new ideas for diagnosing or treating liver and biliary cancers. Each year two projects receive up to $50,000 and may get a second year of support if they show promise. Projects can use shared laboratory and clinical resources within the SPORE center and are reviewed by scientists, patient advocates, and community advisors. The emphasis is on high‑risk, high‑reward concepts that could move toward tests or treatments patients might access in the future.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: People diagnosed with liver cancer or biliary tract cancers (including cholangiocarcinoma) who are interested in accessing new clinical trials or experimental treatments at Mayo Clinic.

Not a fit: People without liver or bile-duct cancer, or those who need immediate standard-of-care treatment, are unlikely to get direct benefit from these early-stage projects.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the program could speed development of new tests or treatments that improve survival or quality of life for people with liver and bile-duct cancers.

How similar studies have performed: The SPORE developmental program has a track record of advancing pilot projects—previous funding rounds produced multiple new projects and at least one advanced into full translational development.

Where this research is happening

Rochester, 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 Cancer CauseCancer CenterCancer EtiologyCancers
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.