Non-invasive early detection of pancreatic cancer using exosome microRNA blood tests
Exosome-based microRNA biomarkers for Non-invasive and Early Detection of Pancreatic Cancer
This project develops a blood test that looks at exosome microRNA to find pancreatic cancer earlier 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 ID | NIH-11164539 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You'll be asked to give a blood sample so researchers can isolate tiny particles called exosomes and the cell-free microRNAs in your plasma. They will use genome-wide sequencing and bioinformatics, including machine-learning algorithms, to identify small panels of microRNAs that together signal early pancreatic cancer. The team plans to combine previously discovered cf-miRNA and exo-miRNA panels into a single 'transcriptomic signature' and validate it against existing markers like CA19-9. The goal is a non-invasive test focused on detecting early-stage pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would be people at higher risk for pancreatic cancer or those with symptoms or imaging findings suggesting possible early-stage disease who can provide blood samples.
Not a fit: People with advanced metastatic pancreatic cancer or conditions that do not release detectable exosomal microRNA patterns may not benefit from this test.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could lead to a simple blood test that detects pancreatic cancer earlier when curative treatment is more likely.
How similar studies have performed: Earlier small studies and the team's prior work have shown promising microRNA/exosome signatures for pancreatic cancer, but large-scale clinical validation is still needed.
Where this research is happening
Duarte, United States
- 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
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 below.