Using blood tests to measure tumor DNA in advanced cancers
Assay Validation of Cell-Free DNA Shallow Whole Genome Sequencing To Determine 'Tumor Fraction' in Advanced Cancers
This study is testing a simple blood test that checks how much tumor DNA is in the blood of people with advanced cancers, like metastatic breast cancer, to help doctors see how well treatments are working without needing to know specific tumor details.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Broad Institute, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cambridge, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10911915 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research aims to develop a blood-based test that measures the amount of tumor DNA circulating in the blood of patients with advanced cancers, including metastatic breast cancer. By utilizing a technique called ultra low pass whole genome sequencing (ULP-WGS), the study seeks to identify how much tumor DNA is present, which can help determine how well a patient is responding to treatment. This minimally invasive approach allows for quick and accurate assessments from a single blood sample, without needing prior knowledge of specific tumor mutations. The research has already analyzed over 3000 patient samples, showing promise in guiding therapy decisions for various advanced cancers.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with advanced cancers, particularly those undergoing treatment for metastatic breast cancer or other advanced malignancies.
Not a fit: Patients with early-stage cancers or those not currently receiving treatment may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a new, non-invasive method for monitoring treatment response in patients with advanced cancers, potentially leading to more personalized and effective therapies.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has demonstrated the clinical utility of similar blood-based assays in monitoring treatment response in metastatic breast and prostate cancers, indicating a promising avenue for further exploration.
Where this research is happening
Cambridge, United States
- Broad Institute, INC. — Cambridge, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lennon, Niall John — Broad Institute, INC.
- Study coordinator: Lennon, Niall John
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.