Bit1 pathway may help overcome NSCLC resistance to EGFR inhibitors
Official title: The Bit1 cell death pathway as a novel regulator of EGFR-TKI-induced apoptosis and resistance
Funded at Xavier University of Louisiana · NIH-11424517 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A cancer research grant is studying how a cell-death pathway called Bit1 affects lung cancer cells’ response to EGFR inhibitor drugs and whether this could help patients whose tumors stop responding.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Xavier University of Louisiana NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New Orleans, United States) |
| Project start | August 20, 2026 |
| Project end | July 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $150,000 |
| NIH project number | 1R16CA315530-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11424517 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are NSCLC patients or samples with EGFR mutations who may benefit from improved understanding of treatment resistance.
✕Less likely to help
Students or researchers seeking non-patient-facing basic biology work may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
In non-small cell lung cancer, EGFR inhibitors work well at first but tumors often become resistant. This project examines Bit1, a protein that can trigger a form of cell death even when traditional death pathways are blocked, and how it interacts with EGFR inhibitors. Researchers plan to test how Bit1 influences treatment-induced death and resistance, aiming to uncover new angles for therapy. The work combines molecular studies in cells and tissues to understand the mechanism and potential targets to prevent or overcome resistance.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the research could inform new strategies to extend the effectiveness of EGFR inhibitors for NSCLC patients.
How similar studies have gone: Previous findings suggest Bit1 plays a role in NSCLC cell death, supporting potential relevance to patient care.
Where this research is happening
-
Xavier University of Louisiana
New Orleans, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Biliran, Hector Ramos — Xavier University of Louisiana
- Study coordinator: Biliran, Hector Ramos
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.