Article Contributed by W3 Public Relations
Published on October 27, 2025
Los Angeles, CA: The Ronnie James Dio Stand Up and Shout Cancer Fund, founded in memory of the late heavy metal icon who passed away from gastric cancer in 2010, is celebrating a new international research collaboration that could revolutionize early cancer detection.
The Dio Cancer Fund has long supported the work of Dr. David T. W. Wong, Professor at the UCLA School of Dentistry and Director of its Center for Oral/Head & Neck Oncology Research, whose groundbreaking lab has been developing liquid biopsy technology—specifically a saliva-based, non-invasive diagnostic tool known as Electric Field-Induced Release and Measurement (EFIRM).
UCLA’s School of Dentistry has entered a three-year sponsored research agreement with South Korean semiconductor company Dongwoon Anatech to further develop EFIRM. This cutting-edge platform isolates and analyzes biomarker signals directly from biofluids like saliva, eliminating the need for complex sample preparation.
Previous studies by Dr. Wong’s team have demonstrated EFIRM’s high sensitivity and specificity in detecting tumor-specific mutations in saliva, particularly for non-small cell lung cancer. The new collaboration will focus on expanding the technology’s diagnostic capabilities to include gastric cancer, a leading cause of cancer-related deaths in South Korea.
Dongwoon Anatech—creators of the saliva-based glucose monitoring system D-SaLife®—will contribute up to $787,500 annually toward the project. Phase three of the research will aim to create a fully diagnostic device capable of detecting gastric cancer biomarkers, potentially making saliva-based cancer screening a routine part of medical checkups.
The Dio Cancer Fund has supported Dr. Wong’s research since 2016 and recently celebrated the dedication of the Saliva Storage Room in his lab—home to thousands of research samples—named in honor of Ronnie James Dio.
“The Ronnie James Dio Stand Up and Shout Cancer Fund has been an unwavering partner in our mission to advance saliva-based liquid biopsy for the early detection of gastric cancer,” said Dr. Wong. “Their support, alongside our new collaboration with Dongwoon Anatech, accelerates the path toward translating EFIRM technology into real-world clinical tools that can profoundly impact patient care while honoring Ronnie’s legacy.”
Since 2002, Dr. Wong has secured more than $29 million in funding from the National Institutes of Health and other agencies to advance EFIRM research. The Dio Cancer Fund will continue its support with another donation to Dr. Wong’s lab at its annual “Bowl for Ronnie” event on Thursday, November 13 in Los Angeles.
Founded in 2010, the Ronnie James Dio Stand Up and Shout Cancer Fund (SUAS) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to cancer prevention, research, and early detection. The Fund honors the musical and humanitarian legacy of Ronnie James Dio by supporting scientific innovation and public awareness in the fight against cancer.
For more information, visit:
🌐 www.diocancerfund.org
📘 Facebook
🐦 Twitter/X
📸 Instagram
▶️ YouTube
