# Liquid Biopsy for treatment stratification of IDH1.R132H and EGFRvIII mutant gliomas

> **NIH NIH U01** · MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL · 2020 · $808,800

## Abstract

Project​ ​Summary
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) and cell free DNA have emerged as a promising surrogate for the tissue biopsy, potentially
enabling non-invasive, real-time cancer monitoring. Most cancer cells release high levels of EVs and cell-free DNA into
circulation that carry molecular constituents of the parent tumor. Gliomas are among the most lethal of cancers and despite
improved survival associated with surgery, utilizing intraoperative MR imaging guidance, as well as the postoperative use of
the alkylating agent temozolomide, in combination with conformal radiation therapy and the angiogenesis inhibitor
bevacizumab, glial tumors remain uniquely morbid, costly, and incurable. Brain tumor biopsy, necessary for clinical
information, is itself associated with substantial morbidity and mortality. Consequently, there is a crucial need for more
effective ways to determine the mutational landscape of early-stage tumors, via minimally invasive platforms, allowing for
effective follow-up and biomarker-based care. The main goal of this proposal is to optimize liquid biopsy assays for the
IDH1.R132H and EGFRvIII mutations in partnership with industry. This alliance includes Exosome Diagnostics, an industry
leader in EV-based cancer diagnostics, offering ready capacity to develop and manufacture in-vitro diagnostic assays, and
the Department of Neurosurgery at Massachusetts General Hospital, a pioneer in developing liquid biopsy signatures for
brain cancer. These teams bring in their multidisciplinary expertise, innovative technologies and complementary resources to
carry​ ​out​ ​the​ ​proposed​ ​work.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9976485
- **Project number:** 5U01CA230697-03
- **Recipient organization:** MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL
- **Principal Investigator:** Bob S Carter
- **Activity code:** U01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $808,800
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2018-08-22 → 2023-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9976485

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9976485, Liquid Biopsy for treatment stratification of IDH1.R132H and EGFRvIII mutant gliomas (5U01CA230697-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9976485. Licensed CC0.

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