Point-of-care test to spot risk of liver scarring from Schistosoma japonicum
Official title: Biomarkers to Identify Individuals at RIsk for Progression of S. Japonicum Associated Hepatic Fibrosis with Point of Care Test Development
Funded at Rhode Island Hospital · NIH-11509730 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project aims to develop a simple clinic test to find people with S. japonicum infection who are likely to develop worsening liver scarring so they can get treatment earlier.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Rhode Island Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Providence, United States) |
| Project start | June 1, 2022 |
| Project end | March 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $340,240 |
| NIH project number | 3U01AI168560-04S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11509730 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are people living in schistosomiasis-endemic areas (for example the Philippines) with current or past S. japonicum infection or early signs of liver fibrosis who can provide blood samples and attend follow-up visits.
✕Less likely to help
People without S. japonicum infection, with advanced irreversible cirrhosis, or who cannot attend study visits or provide samples are unlikely to benefit directly from this project.
What this research studies
You would be part of work led from the Research Institute of Tropical Medicine in the Philippines that collects clinical information and blood samples from people exposed to S. japonicum. Researchers will measure a panel of about 38 proteins and other markers using a multiplex assay called FibroPlex_v2 and link those markers to whether a person’s liver fibrosis gets worse over time. The team will try to turn those marker patterns into an easy point-of-care test clinics can use and will follow people over months to years to confirm which markers predict progression. The program also trains local scientists to run the tests and use the results to guide more frequent treatment where needed.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the test could identify at-risk people sooner so they receive more frequent treatment that can halt or reverse liver fibrosis.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work shows more frequent praziquantel can halt or reverse fibrosis and early biomarker panels are promising, but turning these panels into a validated point-of-care test remains novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Rhode Island Hospital
Providence, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Friedman, Jennifer F — Rhode Island Hospital
- Study coordinator: Friedman, Jennifer F
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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.