Federal Cooperative Agreement Award Summary

Mayo Clinic received a $688,661 Cooperative Agreement from the National Cancer Institute under the Cancer Detection and Diagnosis Research Program (CFDA 93.394), awarded June 9, 2026, with a completion date of May 31, 2031. This award supports research focused on prospective detection and monitoring of NF1 (Neurofibromatosis Type 1) peripheral nerve sheath tumors using cell-free DNA analysis. The research will develop integrative multi-omic approaches to analyze circulating cell-free DNA to distinguish between benign plexiform neurofibromas, atypical pre-malignant lesions, and malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNST)—the leading cause of death in NF1 patients worldwide. The project builds upon published findings demonstrating that plasma cell-free DNA copy number analysis can accurately distinguish MPNST from benign tumors and facilitate disease burden monitoring.

The research deliverables include three primary objectives: determining whether disease trajectory progression can be discriminated using genome-wide cell-free DNA epigenomic approaches; establishing protocols for minimal residual disease detection following MPNST surgery through optimized cell-free DNA copy number analysis; and monitoring clonal and phenotypic evolution of metastatic MPNST during treatment with MEK/MDM2 inhibitors through integrated methylation sequencing and targeted resistance mechanism analysis. These products will advance early detection capabilities and therapeutic monitoring strategies for NF1-associated tumors, addressing a critical gap in clinical management where radiographic methods currently cannot reliably distinguish tumor progression stages.