A two-target treatment approach for different types of small cell lung cancer
Combining CDK7 and MUC1-C inhibition to target different subtypes of small cell lung cancer
This work uses drugs that block two cancer-related proteins, CDK7 and MUC1-C, to try to treat adults with different subtypes of small cell lung cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | New York University School of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11285190 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will group small cell lung cancers by their molecular subtype using tumor markers like ASCL1 and related tests, then use laboratory models and tumor samples to study how blocking CDK7 and MUC1-C affects each subtype. They will combine these inhibitors to see if the dual approach more effectively stops tumor cell growth and survival compared with single agents. Experiments will include molecular analyses (for example, ATAC-seq) to track changes in gene regulation and to identify biomarkers that predict which tumors respond. The goal is to generate evidence that could support future clinical testing of this combination in patients.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults with relapsed or treatment-resistant small cell lung cancer, especially those whose tumors are characterized by ASCL1 or other defined subtype markers, would be the most relevant candidates for future trials based on this work.
Not a fit: People with non–small cell lung cancers or tumors that do not show the targeted subtype markers are unlikely to benefit from this specific approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could lead to new targeted therapies that better control or shrink small cell lung cancer tumors across different molecular subtypes.
How similar studies have performed: Single-agent targeted therapies and recent immunotherapy additions have shown only modest benefits in SCLC, and combining CDK7 and MUC1-C is a novel strategy with limited prior clinical testing.
Where this research is happening
New York, United States
- New York University School of Medicine — New York, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wong, Kwok Kin — New York University School of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Wong, Kwok Kin
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.