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Cell-free DNA Analysis for Liquid Biopsy of Cancer

Award Number: K00CA264398
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 09/01/2023
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 08/31/2027

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Cell-free DNA Analysis for Liquid Biopsy of Cancer - PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) which mirrors the parental tumor, is present in the plasma of non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) patients. Liquid biopsy analysis of ctDNA allows early detection and genetic monitoring. However, current PCR-based liquid biopsy methods often have difficulty detecting ctDNA due to low copies in circulation. In contrast, the electric field-induced release and measurement liquid biopsy (eLB) platform, detects mutant EGFR (L858R, exon19del, T790M) ctDNA with a >90% tissue-genotype concordance in <50ul of unprocessed plasma of NSCLC patients. Preliminary data demonstrate that the ctDNA detected by eLB may be ultrashort single-stranded ctDNA (usssctDNA) which contrasts the typically described 160-basepair internucleosomal double-stranded ctDNA. This new subpopulation is undetectable through PCR-based liquid biopsy methods due to size-selection bias. The goal of the F99 Phase is to use usssctDNA-seq, a novel NGS pipeline, to explore if NSCLC plasma contains high quantities of ctDNA that are ultrashort and single-stranded. This pipeline consists of a usssctDNA-specific extraction, library preparation, deep sequencing, and bioinformatic analysis. To verify, 80 late-stage NSCLC EGFR-mutated plasma samples will undergo usssctDNA-seq. The discovery of usssctDNA will open up a wealth of previously unnoticed information leading to improved treatment and survival of NSCLC patients. Afterward, during the K00 Phase, the trainee hopes to explore the biological origins of biofluid ctDNA and the incorporation of usssctDNA into modern multi-analyte approaches for pan- cancer detection. This will involve training in new skills such as organoid modeling, methylation and leukocyte sequencing, and bioinformatic machine learning at a world-leading cancer-oriented institute. Ultimately, the goal of this proposed F99/K00 project will to prepare the trainee for a career in cancer research with an expertise in liquid biopsy and cell-free DNA biology.


Issue Date FY	Funding FY	Legal Entity Name	Legal Entity Address	Legal Entity City	Legal Entity State	Legal Entity Zip Code	Legal Entity COUNTY	Legal Entity COUNTRY	Assistance Listing	Award Code	Budget Year	Action Date	Action Type	Action Amount

Issue Date FY: 2025 ( Subtotal = $100,518 )
2025	2025	THE LELAND STANFORD JUNIOR UNIVERSITY	450 JANE STANFORD WAY	STANFORD	CA	94305	SANTA CLARA	USA	Cancer Cause and Prevention Research	000	5	7/28/2025	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$100,518
														Subtotal = $100,518

Issue Date FY: 2024 ( Subtotal = $96,465 )
2024	2024	THE LELAND STANFORD JUNIOR UNIVERSITY	450 JANE STANFORD WAY	STANFORD	CA	94305	SANTA CLARA	USA	Cancer Cause and Prevention Research	000	4	8/16/2024	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$96,465
														Subtotal = $96,465

Issue Date FY: 2023 ( Subtotal = $85,925 )
2023	2023	THE LELAND STANFORD JUNIOR UNIVERSITY	450 JANE STANFORD WAY	STANFORD	CA	94305	SANTA CLARA	USA	Cancer Cause and Prevention Research	000	3	9/6/2023	EXTENSION WITH OR WITHOUT FUNDS	$85,925
														Subtotal = $85,925

Grand Total All Awards = $282,908

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Cell-free DNA Analysis for Liquid Biopsy of Cancer

Award Number: K00CA264398

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 09/01/2023

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 08/31/2027

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