NOTE: There was an error in the Table of Contents of the September 3, 2009, eNews. The samples available are for HCC and not HBV. We regret this error.
The correct text of the story is below.
Availability of serum samples for the evaluation of biomarkers for the early detection of hepatocellular carcinoma
During the course of the NIDDK-sponsored HALT-C Trial, all patients had blood obtained at 3-month intervals for biochemical, serologic, and virologic screening. Sera obtained at these intervals were also stored in a repository for future research purposes. Patients were followed for 3.5 or more years to determine whether treatment reduced mortality and, if not, whether they reached specified outcomes, one of which was the development of liver cancer (HCC). Screening for HCC included frequent abdominal ultrasounds and testing for AFP. To date, almost 70 persons have developed HCC. Blood samples from these patients are available not only at the time of diagnosis of HCC but at variable time periods well before the diagnosis. This unique collection provides an opportunity to assess new biomarkers for HCC, hopefully at an early time before clinical presentation that would permit definitive, possibly curative treatment. Accordingly, NIDDK, with the help and support of the Early Detection Research Network (EDRN) group in NCI, wish to announce the availability of these sera to investigators who have a promising HCC biomarker. The link to the notice of availability is as follows: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-DK-09-016.html
The link to the protocol can be found at:
http://edrn.nci.nih.gov/resources/sample-reference-sets