New Biomarkers in Blood to Track Plexiform Neurofibroma Tumor Burden
Official title: Developing Novel Biomarkers of Plexiform Neurofibroma Tumor Burden
Funded at Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago · NIH-11358399 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study to find blood-based biomarkers that reflect how much plexiform neurofibroma tumors patients with NF1 have, so doctors can monitor tumor burden without relying on frequent MRIs.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project start | June 20, 2025 |
| Project end | May 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $725,444 |
| NIH project number | 5R33NS122094-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11358399 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Children with NF1 who have or are at risk for plexiform neurofibromas and who can provide blood samples and imaging data.
✕Less likely to help
Children without NF1 or without PNFs, or those who cannot provide blood samples or imaging data, may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project will use blood samples from children with NF1 to identify immune and metabolic signals linked to tumor load. Researchers will develop and apply a targeted mass spectrometry method to measure specific molecules, especially glucosylceramide and lactosylceramide, in plasma. They will compare biomarker levels with tumor size measured by imaging to see how well the signals track tumor burden. The work leverages Cincinnati Children’s imaging and biobank resources and the NF1 population at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital and Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago. If successful, these biomarkers could simplify monitoring and potentially guide treatment decisions for NF1-related PNFs.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If the biomarkers prove reliable, they could enable easier, less costly monitoring of tumor burden for children with NF1.
How similar studies have gone: Preliminary data in mice and human plasma suggest biomarker signals can reflect tumor burden, but validation in affected children is ongoing.
Where this research is happening
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Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Prada, Carlos Enrique — Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago
- Study coordinator: Prada, Carlos Enrique
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.