Smart two-signal biomarkers to spot early liver spread
AND-gated Synthetic Biomarkers for Early Detection of Liver Metastasis
This work aims to create injectable biomarkers that only activate when they detect two cancer-related signals, so they can find cancer that has spread to the liver earlier and more specifically.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Georgia Institute of Technology NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Atlanta, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11169847 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers are designing synthetic biomarkers that circulate in the body and remain quiet unless they encounter two cancer-linked activities at a site in the liver, at which point they produce a measurable reporter in blood or urine. The team plans to build these sensors using mammalian-compatible components to lower immune reactions and improve safety for repeated use. They will test the approach in lab systems and animal models to measure how well the AND-gated logic reduces false alarms while still detecting tiny metastatic lesions. The goal is a repeatable, minimally invasive way to monitor patients at risk for liver metastasis before symptoms or imaging picks it up.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with cancers that commonly spread to the liver (for example colorectal, pancreatic, or certain breast cancers), patients in remission under surveillance, or those judged at higher risk for liver metastasis would be the most likely candidates for future testing.
Not a fit: People without cancer or those whose tumors do not metastasize to the liver are unlikely to benefit from this specific detection approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could enable earlier and more accurate detection of cancer spread to the liver using simple blood or urine tests, potentially allowing earlier treatment and better outcomes.
How similar studies have performed: Related synthetic biomarker and protease-activated reporter approaches have shown promise in lab and animal studies, but using AND-gated, mammalian-component sensors specifically for liver metastasis is largely new and not yet tested in patients.
Where this research is happening
Atlanta, United States
- Georgia Institute of Technology — Atlanta, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kwong, Gabriel a — Georgia Institute of Technology
- Study coordinator: Kwong, Gabriel a
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.