Using blood tests to improve treatment for young adults with sarcomas.
Official title: Validation and implementation of ctDNA as a clinically informative biomarkerin AYAs with sarcomas.
Funded at Dana-Farber Cancer Inst · NIH-10865581 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a blood test that checks for tumor DNA can help doctors make better treatment choices for teenagers and young adults with sarcomas, aiming to improve their care and reduce side effects.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Dana-Farber Cancer Inst NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $253,273 |
| NIH project number | 1K08CA290061-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10865581 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adolescents and young adults diagnosed with sarcomas, particularly those with Ewing sarcoma or osteosarcoma.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with sarcomas who are not adolescents or young adults, or those with other types of cancers not included in the study, may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on improving treatment outcomes for adolescents and young adults (AYAs) diagnosed with sarcomas by validating and implementing circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) as a biomarker. The study aims to identify how ctDNA levels can inform treatment decisions, monitor disease progression, and detect relapses. By analyzing blood samples, researchers hope to tailor therapies more effectively and reduce the risk of late effects from treatment. This approach seeks to bridge the gap in personalized medicine for AYAs with sarcomas, a group that has historically lacked targeted treatment strategies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more personalized and effective treatment plans for young adults with sarcomas, potentially improving survival rates and reducing long-term health complications.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown success in using biomarkers like ctDNA in other cancer types, suggesting a promising avenue for similar applications in AYAs with sarcomas.
Where this research is happening
-
Dana-Farber Cancer Inst
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Shulman, David — Dana-Farber Cancer Inst
- Study coordinator: Shulman, David
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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.