Predicting radiation-induced lung injury from four blood miRNAs
Official title: Validation of a microRNA panel to pre-symptomatically predict the risk of radiation-induced fibrosis
Funded at Chromologic, LLC · NIH-11403864 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A simple blood test using four microRNAs could help predict who will develop lung injury after radiation therapy.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Chromologic, LLC NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Monrovia, United States) |
| Project start | September 2, 2025 |
| Project end | August 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $526,618 |
| NIH project number | 5U01AI189450-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11403864 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults who have undergone or will undergo radiation therapy and are at risk for radiation-induced lung injury.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without an elevated risk or those not undergoing radiotherapy may derive little direct benefit.
What this research studies
ChromolLogic is developing a blood-based miRNA panel that was shown to be linked to profibrotic pathways and could forecast radiation-induced lung injury from plasma collected about 15–30 days after exposure. The project builds on a Bayesian miDOS model trained with mouse, non-human primate, and human data to predict pneumonitis and fibrosis. In a larger, patient-focused effort, the team will validate the assay in 100 cancer patients, examine how cancer affects baseline miRNA levels, and study how miRNA levels change over time after exposure. This work aims to provide a clinically useful tool to identify patients at high risk so clinicians can tailor monitoring and treatment plans.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients at risk could receive closer monitoring or early interventions to mitigate lung injury after radiation.
How similar studies have gone: Preliminary human data showed good performance (AUC ~0.85) in a small set, with further validation planned.
Where this research is happening
-
Chromologic, LLC
Monrovia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Rogers, Claude J. — Chromologic, LLC
- Study coordinator: Rogers, Claude J.
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Interface between immune cells and scarring in the eye
This grant looks at how immune cells influence scar formation in the cornea after injury and how this affects vision.
-
How often to treat schistosomiasis to protect the liver
A randomized trial will test different frequencies ofPraziquantel treatment to prevent liver damage in people aged 15–40 with schistosomiasis in Uganda.
-
Metabolic changes in cells that repair blood vessels in the eye lens to prevent scarring
A drug or approach that changes how certain cells that repair blood vessels in the eye work, to prevent scarring behind the retina in age-related macular degeneration patients treated with anti-VEGF therapy.
-
Myocardial fibrosis and fat in ART-treated women with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa
This project studies heart tissue changes in women with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa who are on antiretroviral therapy, to understand why they’re at higher risk for heart problems as they age.
-
Myocardial fibrosis and fat in ART-treated women with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa
This grant studies heart tissue changes in women living with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa to understand why heart failure risk is higher in this group.
-
Molecular clues to progressive lung scarring
Researchers are studying how lung tissue becomes progressively scarred, focusing on cell signals and receptors that may drive fibrosis in people with lung disease.
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.