# Ultrasensitive Detection of Tumor Specific DNA Methylation Changes for the Early Detection of Lung Cancer

> **NIH NIH U01** · UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH AT PITTSBURGH · 2020 · $572,321

## Abstract

TITLE 
Ultrasensitive Detection of Tumor Specific DNA Methylation Changes for the Early Detection of
Lung Cancer 
ABSTRACT 
This proposal seeks to improve upon the management of lung cancer through detection of
tumor specific abnormal DNA methylation. Despite highly publicized advances in genomics and
proteomics, the promise of non-invasive diagnostics and personalized medicine remains largely
unrealized. Recently, comprehensive determination of genetic and epigenetic aberrations has
become a major activity in cancer research since it is well understood that these aberrations
provide clues to the process of tumorigenesis. The applicants have developed extremely
sensitive assays for the detection of hypermethylated DNA sequences. They have also
optimized the isolation and processing of circulating cell free DNA from tumors for these
sensitive methods. The comprehensive genome wide analysis of molecular changes in cancer
completed by The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) has been used to identify many highly
frequent cancer specific methylation events in lung cancer that will be combined with an
integrated approach to sample processing and preparation and novel sensitive detection
strategies to provide utrasensitive detection of tumor specific changes in DNA methylation in
blood and sputum samples. With a large population based screening cohort, the Pittsburgh
Lung Screening Study, they will develop and characterize the performance of sensitive methods
for detecting cancer specific changes in DNA methylation. This molecular detection will
compliment CT screening to address the important issue of early detection of lung cancer.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10008995
- **Project number:** 5U01CA214165-05
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH AT PITTSBURGH
- **Principal Investigator:** JAMES G. HERMAN
- **Activity code:** U01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $572,321
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2016-09-15 → 2023-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10008995

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10008995, Ultrasensitive Detection of Tumor Specific DNA Methylation Changes for the Early Detection of Lung Cancer (5U01CA214165-05). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-06-01 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10008995. Licensed CC0.

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