Towards a blood-based test using nanophotonic exosomes to screen and diagnose liver cancer
Official title: TOWARD TRANSLATION OF NANOPHOTONIC SINGLE EXOSOME LIQUID BIOPSY FOR HEPATOCELLULAR CARCINOMA SCREENING AND DIAGNOSIS
Funded at University of Houston · NIH-11455308 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new blood test using tiny particles shed by liver cancer cells aims to screen for hepatocellular carcinoma earlier and more accurately.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Houston NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $656,935 |
| NIH project number | 1R01CA316276-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11455308 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with cirrhosis or at risk for hepatocellular carcinoma who are undergoing surveillance.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without cirrhosis or not at risk for liver cancer may not benefit from this test.
What this research studies
This project explores a novel, noninvasive test that looks at exosomes in blood to detect hepatocellular carcinoma in people with cirrhosis. Researchers will use nanophotonic methods to analyze exosomes for cancer-specific signals that could indicate early disease or recurrence after treatment. The goal is a highly sensitive and faster alternative to ultrasound and AFP alone, potentially enabling earlier intervention. The study is conducted at the University of Houston with a focus on translating this method toward clinical use.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients may receive earlier and more accurate detection of liver cancer, improving treatment options and outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Other ctDNA and exosome-based approaches show promise, but practical, routine clinical translation remains a work in progress.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Houston
Houston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Shih, Wei-Chuan — University of Houston
- Study coordinator: Shih, Wei-Chuan
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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.