Tiny protein fragments for finding liver cancer early
Peptide multimer for early detection of hepatocellular carcinoma
This research looks for new ways to find liver cancer at its earliest stages using special small proteins.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Michigan at Ann Arbor NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Ann Arbor, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11131122 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Liver cancer is becoming more common, and we need better ways to find it early. This project aims to discover unique markers on liver cancer cells that appear very early in the disease. Researchers will use tiny protein fragments, much smaller than typical antibodies, to target these markers. These small fragments can get into tumors more easily, which could lead to clearer images and more accurate early detection.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This research is most relevant for individuals at high risk for hepatocellular carcinoma or those needing improved early diagnostic tools for liver cancer.
Not a fit: Patients who do not have or are not at risk for hepatocellular carcinoma would not directly benefit from this specific diagnostic approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new imaging tests that find liver cancer earlier and more accurately than current methods, improving treatment outcomes.
How similar studies have performed: While alpha-fetoprotein is a common blood marker, this approach focuses on novel tissue-specific imaging biomarkers, which are not currently used for this purpose.
Where this research is happening
Ann Arbor, United States
- University of Michigan at Ann Arbor — Ann Arbor, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wang, Thomas D — University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
- Study coordinator: Wang, Thomas D
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.