Clinical Research Pilot Projects Program, 2024–2025 “Deciphering Exosomal Circulating ncRNA Signature for Lung Cancer Early Detection and Functional Networks Regulating Glutamine Metabolism in Diverse Population”

Research Areas

  • Cancer Biology
  • Biomarker Discovery & Precision Medicine
  • Translational & Clinical Research
  • Molecular Mechanisms & Functional Genomics
  • Cancer Metabolism
  • Health Disparities Research

Scientific Achievements

  • Generated the first large-scale exosome ncRNA sequencing dataset in early lung cancer
  • Identified a novel 16-ncRNA diagnostic signature
  • Integrated biomarker discovery with metabolic pathway analysis
  • Discovered regulatory roles of specific ncRNAs in lung cancer metabolism
  • Advanced health disparities research in lung cancer

Funding

RCMI Funding: The RCMI Coordinating Center Clinical Research Pilot Projects Program (RCMI-CC), U24MD015970; Accelerating Excellence in Translational Science (AXIS) full project, U54MD007589.
Other funding obtained with RCMI support: AIM-AHEAD AI/ML in Biomedical Research and Clinical Practice That Embodies Ethics and Equity (ABC-EE) Program, 3OTOD132581-01S1.

Scientific Advance

Exosomal Non-Coding RNAs Reveal Glutamine Metabolism Regulation and Enable Early Detection of Lung Cancer. “Manuscript in preparation”.
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths, and some groups—such as Native Hawaiian and African American communities—face a higher risk and worse outcomes. Current screening methods, like CT scans, often give false results, leading to unnecessary tests and stress. Our research is developing a simple blood test that looks at tiny particles called exosomes, which carry genetic signals from cancer cells. We have already identified a set of RNA markers in these exosomes that can detect lung cancer with very high accuracy. In this project, we will test these markers in diverse populations and study how they affect cancer cell metabolism. This work could lead to better early detection, more effective treatments, and help reduce health disparities in lung cancer.
The RCMI Coordinating Center Clinical Research Pilot Projects Program (RCMI-CC), U24MD015970; Accelerating Excellence in Translational Science (AXIS) full project, U54MD007589.
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