Epigenetic Liquid Biopsy for Cancer Detection and Precision Oncology

We are seeking partners for the development of a collaborative research project focused on epigenetic liquid biopsy approaches for solid tumours, with potential applications across different cancer types.

The project aims to investigate and validate circulating epigenetic biomarkers, particularly DNA methylation signatures derived from cell-free DNA (cfDNA) and circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA). The objective is to explore their potential utility in early cancer detection, molecular characterisation, patient stratification, prognosis, treatment-response assessment and disease monitoring.

The proposed approach may include both pan-cancer and tumour-specific strategies, depending on the available clinical cohorts and expertise within the consortium. Particular interest lies in integrating epigenetic profiling with advanced molecular technologies, bioinformatics, machine learning and multi-omics approaches to identify robust biomarker signatures with clinical relevance.

A key objective will be the clinical validation and translation of identified biomarkers, with the long-term goal of developing minimally invasive approaches that can support precision oncology and improve cancer management.

We are particularly interested in collaborating with universities, research institutes, hospitals, cancer centres, SMEs and biotechnology/diagnostic companies with complementary expertise in cancer epigenetics, liquid biopsy, cfDNA/ctDNA analysis, DNA methylation profiling, sequencing technologies, bioinformatics and AI, multi-omics integration, biomarker development and clinical validation.

Clinical partners with access to well-characterised patient cohorts, longitudinal samples and appropriate control populations across different solid tumour types would be particularly relevant.

We are open to establishing a new multidisciplinary consortium or joining an existing consortium preparing a Horizon Europe Cluster 1 Health or EU Mission on Cancer proposal where epigenetic biomarkers and liquid biopsy could provide a relevant technological and translational component.