Using blood tests to detect liver cancer in patients with hepatitis B in Nigeria.

Use of Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells Mitochondrial DNA Content to Detect Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Hepatitis B Virus Infected Nigerians.

NIH-funded research College of Medicine, University of Lagos · NIH-11072018

This study is looking to create a simple blood test that can help find liver cancer in people with chronic hepatitis B by checking the levels of certain DNA in their immune cells, and it's for patients visiting gastroenterology clinics in Lagos, Nigeria.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionCollege of Medicine, University of Lagos NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Lagos, Nigeria)
Project IDNIH-11072018 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on developing a blood test that measures mitochondrial DNA content in immune cells to detect liver cancer in patients infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV). The study aims to enroll patients with chronic hepatitis B and liver cancer at gastroenterology clinics in Lagos, Nigeria. By comparing the mitochondrial DNA levels in these patients to those without the infection or cancer, the researchers hope to improve diagnostic accuracy. This minimally invasive approach could provide a more effective way to identify liver cancer early.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with chronic hepatitis B and those with hepatocellular carcinoma.

Not a fit: Patients without hepatitis B virus infection or liver cancer are unlikely to benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to a more accurate and less invasive method for diagnosing liver cancer in hepatitis B patients.

How similar studies have performed: Similar research has shown promise in using mitochondrial DNA as a biomarker for cancer detection, suggesting potential success for this approach.

Where this research is happening

Lagos, Nigeria

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.