# Multi-analyte Approach for Earlier Detection of Cancers in Non Plasma Biofluids

> **NIH NIH U01** · JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY · 2024 · $415,618

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
Early detection of cancer provides one of the most effective ways to reduce cancer related
morbidity and mortality. However, most malignancies including brain and head and neck
cancers do not have effective minimally invasive strategies for early detection. Unfortunately,
early detection is hindered by several factors, including the lack of suitable tests and cost. One
of the chief challenges in developing non-invasive tests is the identification of the appropriate
biofluid and specific markers. While blood-based testing has shown promise, many cancers are
not easily detected in the circulation. Over the past two decades, DNA released from cancer
cells has emerged as a specific biomarker of cancer. We have previously developed sensitive
methods for the simultaneous detection of multiple DNA based analytes from a small quantity of
starting material in a variety of biospecimens. We have extensive preliminary results that
biofluids, such as cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and saliva, associated with certain cancers are
significantly enriched in released tumor DNA (rtDNA) compared to blood. In addition, our group
has an ongoing relationship with an industrial partner to translate our promising technology into
the clinical realm. This proposal will build on those strengths to develop assays for the
sensitive and specific detection of brain and head and neck cancer in CSF and saliva,
respectively. A non-plasma based “liquid biopsy” approach for the earlier detection of cancers
difficult to detect in the blood would represent a significant medical advance.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10930946
- **Project number:** 5U01CA230691-07
- **Recipient organization:** JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Nishant Agrawal
- **Activity code:** U01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $415,618
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2018-09-19 → 2028-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10930946

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10930946, Multi-analyte Approach for Earlier Detection of Cancers in Non Plasma Biofluids (5U01CA230691-07). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-26 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10930946. Licensed CC0.

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