Using eye fluid to improve diagnosis and monitoring of childhood eye cancer.
Official title: Validation of an aqueous humor liquid biopsy for molecular prognostication and monitoring of children with retinoblastoma.
Funded at Children's Hospital of Los Angeles · NIH-10889264 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is exploring a new way to check for eye cancer in kids by looking at a special fluid in their eyes, which could help doctors find important genetic clues without needing to do risky surgeries.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Children's Hospital of Los Angeles NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $536,363 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA282759-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10889264 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are children under 11 years old who are diagnosed with retinoblastoma or are at risk for developing this condition.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with retinoblastoma who are already undergoing treatment and have no access to aqueous humor samples may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a liquid biopsy method using aqueous humor, the fluid in the eye, to detect genetic changes associated with retinoblastoma, a type of eye cancer in children. By analyzing this fluid, researchers aim to identify tumor-derived DNA without the need for invasive biopsies, which can pose risks to young patients. The study has already shown promising results, demonstrating that the genetic information obtained from the aqueous humor closely matches that from tumor tissues. This innovative approach could lead to better monitoring and personalized treatment options for affected children.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a safer and more effective way to diagnose and monitor retinoblastoma in children, potentially improving treatment outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown success with liquid biopsy approaches in various cancers, indicating that this method could be a promising avenue for retinoblastoma as well.
Where this research is happening
-
Children's Hospital of Los Angeles
Los Angeles, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Berry, Jesse L — Children's Hospital of Los Angeles
- Study coordinator: Berry, Jesse L
Related research
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Aqueous humor liquid biopsy to guide prognosis and monitoring in children with retinoblastoma
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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.