# Earlier Detection of Cancers using Non-Plasma Based Liquid Biopsies

> **NIH NIH U01** · JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY · 2020 · $736,346

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
Early detection of cancer provides one of the most effective ways to reduce cancer related morbidity and
mortality. Unfortunately, early detection of cancers is hindered by several factors, including the lack of suitable
tests and cost. Personalized medicine and technological advances are changing the approach to cancer
diagnosis. Blood based liquid biopsy has provided an opportunity for the development of early detection tests.
However, most malignancies do not have effective minimally invasive strategies for early detection and certain
pre-neoplastic or neoplastic conditions are not readily detectable using blood based assays. One of the chief
challenges in developing minimally-invasive tests is the identification of the appropriate biofluid and cancer
specific biomarkers. Over the past two decades, DNA released from cancer cells has emerged as a specific
clinical biomarker of cancer. We have previously developed sensitive methods for detection of this released
tumor DNA (rtDNA) and demonstrated its potential applications in variety of clinical samples. We have
extensive preliminary results that biofluids associated with certain cancers are significantly enriched in rtDNA
when compared to blood. Our group has developed sensitive methods to detect and quantify rtDNA in
numerous biofluids. In addition, our group has an ongoing relationship with an industrial partner, PapGene Inc
that has already participated in the clinical development of liquid biopsy applications. This project will build on
those strengths to develop tests for the detection of brain, head and neck, and colon cancers in cerebrospinal
fluid, saliva, and stool, respectively. A non-plasma based liquid biopsy approach for the earlier detection of
cancers or premalignant lesions difficult to detect in the blood would represent a significant medical advance.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9999526
- **Project number:** 5U01CA230691-03
- **Recipient organization:** JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** CHETAN BETTEGOWDA
- **Activity code:** U01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $736,346
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2018-09-19 → 2023-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9999526

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9999526, Earlier Detection of Cancers using Non-Plasma Based Liquid Biopsies (5U01CA230691-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9999526. Licensed CC0.

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