UTMThe University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center · Microbiology & Immunology
Hepatocellular Carcinoma Detection Lab
Laura Beretta · Houston, Texas
Research Focus
Dr. Laura Beretta's lab focuses on improving early detection methods for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), a deadly form of liver cancer. By studying patients with cirrhosis, the lab aims to discover effective blood tests and modern imaging techniques to identify HCC earlier, which can greatly enhance treatment options and survival rates. Their work combines innovative biomarker analysis and advanced imaging technologies, including artificial intelligence, to better understand cancer risk and progression.
hepatocellular carcinomarisk stratificationearly detectionblood biomarkersMRI imagingartificial intelligencecirrhosisdisease monitoring
Research Aims
5AIM 01Identify blood biomarkers for early detection of hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with cirrhosis.
AIM 02Develop advanced imaging techniques to improve the diagnosis of HCC.
AIM 03Evaluate the efficiency of combined blood and imaging modalities for risk assessment.
AIM 04Characterize tumors using novel imaging markers and machine learning approaches.
AIM 05Monitor longitudinal changes in biomarkers and imaging features to predict cancer development.
Skills the Lab Values
biobankingblood sample processingMRI analysisstatistical modelingartificial intelligence applicationdata collectionpatient recruitmentbiomarker analysismachine learning for imaging
Output against the department
Publications245top 24% of dept.116th of 486
this lab
most publishedleast published
Citations8.5ktop 42% of dept.205th of 486
this lab
most citedleast cited
Career totals from OpenAlex, compared against labs that share a department. A department spans everything from one paper to tens of thousands, so bar heights are on a log scale — otherwise the largest lab would flatten every other bar to a line.