Non-invasive blood test using exosome microRNAs to find pancreatic cancer early
Official title: Exosome-based microRNA biomarkers for Non-invasive and Early Detection of Pancreatic Cancer
Funded at Beckman Research Institute/city of Hope · NIH-11405535 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Develops a blood test that reads tiny RNA messages inside exosomes to detect early pancreatic cancer in people at risk.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Beckman Research Institute/city of Hope NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Duarte, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2017 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $13,525 |
| NIH project number | 3U01CA214254-08S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11405535 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are adults at higher risk for pancreatic cancer or people being evaluated for possible pancreatic disease who can give blood samples.
✕Less likely to help
People with advanced, already-diagnosed pancreatic cancer or with health problems that prevent blood sampling may not receive direct benefit from this early-detection effort.
What this research studies
From your perspective, this work looks for cancer-specific microRNAs packaged in tiny particles called exosomes that circulate in blood. Researchers collect blood samples and use sequencing plus computer-based pattern recognition to find a signature linked to early pancreatic tumors. The team built and refined panels of cell-free and exosome microRNAs in prior work and now combines them into a stronger transcriptomic signature. The goal is a simple blood test that can flag pancreatic cancer sooner than current methods.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could allow earlier, non-invasive detection of pancreatic cancer when treatments have a better chance of helping.
How similar studies have gone: Prior studies, including the team's earlier work, have shown promising exosome and cell-free microRNA panels for identifying early pancreatic cancer, though these approaches are not yet standard clinical tests.
Where this research is happening
-
Beckman Research Institute/city of Hope
Duarte, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Goel, Ajay — Beckman Research Institute/city of Hope
- Study coordinator: Goel, Ajay
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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.