Understanding why some patients with cirrhosis receive less screening for liver cancer than others
Official title: Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Surveillance Among Patients with Cirrhosis Across Five Safety Net Organizations
Funded at Palo Alto Veterans Instit for Research · NIH-10982501 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at why some people with liver cirrhosis, especially from minority and underserved groups, aren't getting screened for liver cancer as often as they should, especially during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, and aims to find ways to make it easier for everyone to get the care they need.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Palo Alto Veterans Instit for Research NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Palo Alto, United States) |
| Project start | December 22, 2021 |
| Project end | November 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $631,593 |
| NIH project number | 5R01MD017063-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-10982501 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include patients with cirrhosis, particularly those from ethnic minority backgrounds or underserved communities.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have cirrhosis or those who are not part of ethnic minority or underserved populations may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the reasons behind the disparities in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) screening among patients with cirrhosis, focusing on ethnic minorities and underserved populations. It aims to analyze how factors related to patients, healthcare providers, and the healthcare system contribute to these disparities, especially in the context of disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. By examining screening rates before, during, and after the pandemic, the study seeks to identify barriers and facilitators to timely cancer screening. The findings could help improve access to care and treatment options for affected populations.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved screening rates for liver cancer among underserved populations, enhancing early detection and treatment outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has highlighted disparities in cancer screening among various populations, suggesting that addressing these issues could lead to significant improvements in healthcare access and outcomes.
Where this research is happening
-
Palo Alto Veterans Instit for Research
Palo Alto, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wong, Robert John — Palo Alto Veterans Instit for Research
- Study coordinator: Wong, Robert John
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Why some patients with cirrhosis miss recommended liver cancer screening
This project looks at why African American, Hispanic, and non-English-speaking patients with cirrhosis are less likely to get recommended liver cancer screening and how the COVID-19 pandemic changed that.
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Investigating the link between gut bacteria and liver cancer risk in people with cirrhosis.
This study is looking at how the bacteria in your gut might affect the risk of liver cancer in people with liver cirrhosis, especially in the Latinx community, and it hopes to find helpful markers that could lead to better ways to screen and prevent cancer for those at risk.
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Improving early detection of liver cancer in patients with cirrhosis
This study is working on finding better ways to catch liver cancer early in people with cirrhosis by creating personalized screening plans that take into account each person's unique risk factors, which could help doctors diagnose the cancer sooner and improve treatment outcomes.
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Glutamine and macrophage behavior in liver cancer
A funded project at a medical university aims to understand how the liver’s immune cells interact with a specific type of liver cancer by looking at metabolism, especially glutamine and ammonia.
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Adding PSMA PET/CT imaging to liver cancer care for veterans
This project tests a new PET imaging approach to help diagnose and guide treatment for liver cancer in veterans.
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Blood markers to catch early liver cancer in Hispanic people with hepatitis B
This project will see if a blood test can find liver cancer earlier in Hispanic people who have chronic hepatitis B.
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.