# Ultrasensitive detection of protein targets in plasma for early detection of cancer

> **NIH NIH R43** · ALAMAR BIOSCIENCES, INC. · 2020 · $321,869

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
Early detection of cancer is amongst the most important problems to address in biomedical
research because the earlier cancer is detected, the better chance of a cure or a successful
treatment. In contrast to the current approach of DNA liquid biopsy, we propose to develop an
ultra-sensitive immunoassay technology that enables protein liquid biopsy for early cancer
detection. By leveraging our insights in improving signal-to-background ratio, we have
developed a prototype immunoassay named NULISA, or NUcleic acid-Linked Immuno-
Sandwich Assay, that has achieved unprecedented level of detection sensitivity of any
commercially available immunoassays at ~20,000 molecules/mL (i.e. ~30 aM). In this proposal,
we aim to optimize the NULISA assay to further boost lower limit of detection and limit of
quantitation (LOD and LOQ) and test a few candidate markers for their potential in early cancer
detection. The specific aims of this Phase 1 SBIR proposal include: 1) Optimize single plex
NULISA for ultrasensitive detection of protein markers in plasma and demonstrate minimally 10-
fold better detection sensitivity over the most sensitive immunoassay on market; and 2)
Demonstrate initial proof of concept of NULISA for early cancer detection. At the end of this
project, we expect to have established a high performance NULISA assay and the feasibility of
novel markers for early cancer detection. The longer-term goal of the project is to develop
noninvasive single- and/or pan-cancer screen tests that could detect cancer much earlier for
more successful or curative treatment.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10080139
- **Project number:** 1R43CA254548-01
- **Recipient organization:** ALAMAR BIOSCIENCES, INC.
- **Principal Investigator:** YULING LUO
- **Activity code:** R43 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $321,869
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2020-07-01 → 2021-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10080139

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10080139, Ultrasensitive detection of protein targets in plasma for early detection of cancer (1R43CA254548-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-08-03 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10080139. Licensed CC0.

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