Improved early prognostic algorithm for hepatocellulcar carcinoma

项目总结/摘要 这是一个指导临床科学家研究职业发展奖的申请。 拟议项目的目标是为候选人提供所需的高级技能， 过渡到独立的翻译研究者，专注于准确的预后 生物标志物和HCC定制治疗算法的开发。为了促进这一长期 职业目标候选人将检查多种成像，临床和血液生物标志物， 并研究液体活检在肝移植合格患者中HCC进展中的作用。 候选人提出一个全面的培训计划，结合教学指导监督 由她的导师，正式的课程，参加应用培训的经验，与个人 导师/顾问，并监督相关实验室技术的性能。拟议 研究将入组肝移植的HCC患者，并随访至 移植或疾病进展和死亡。她将找出 通过包括新的功能成像，临床风险因素和 循环生物标志物包括循环肿瘤细胞、免疫细胞和肿瘤DNA。这 应用程序在有限的可用时间内提供了一种更适合患者管理的方法， 为患有致命癌症和终末期肝病的患者提供有效治疗， 疾病它还将改善肝移植器官分配，从而提高整体治疗效果。 对肝移植受者的价值。

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT This is an application for a Mentored Clinician Scientist Research Career Development Award. The goal of the proposed project is to provide the candidate with advanced skills needed to transition to an independent translational investigator with focus on accurate prognostic biomarkers and development of a tailored treatment algorithm in HCC. To facilitate this long-term career goal the candidate will examine multiple imaging, clinical and blood-based biomarkers, and investigate the role of liquid biopsy in HCC progression in liver transplant-eligible patients. The candidate proposes a comprehensive training plan, combining didactic instruction overseen by her mentors, formal coursework, participation in applied training experiences with individual mentors/advisors, and supervised performance of relevant laboratory techniques. The proposed study will enroll HCC patients listed for liver transplantation and follow until the time of transplantation or disease progression and death. She will identify the determinants contributing to the disparate outcomes by including novel functional imaging, clinical risk factors and circulating biomarkers including circulating tumor cells, immune cells and tumor DNA. This application provides a more tailored approach to patient management in the limited time available, to offer effective therapy to patients who are challenged with a lethal cancer and end-stage liver disease. It would also improve liver transplant organ allocation, thus improving overall therapeutic value for liver transplant recipients.