Blocking the signals that make cancer cells divide
Determining and targeting mechanisms controlling cancer cell division
This project develops new ways to block the molecular switches that make breast and other cancer cells keep dividing.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P01 program project |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Stanford University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Stanford, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11294265 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research focuses on the Cyclin D–CDK4/6–Rb–E2F pathway, a group of proteins that control when cells copy their DNA and divide. Researchers will use lab methods such as gene editing (CRISPR), cancer cell models, and tumor models to map how changes in genes like CCND1 and CCNE1 drive uncontrolled growth. They will test approaches to target those molecules and make cancer cells stop proliferating or become more sensitive to existing drugs. The work aims to reveal specific weaknesses in tumor cell division that could guide new treatments.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would be people with breast or other tumors driven by cell-cycle abnormalities (for example, tumors with Cyclin D amplification or related pathway changes) who are treated at or referred to centers collaborating with the research.
Not a fit: Patients whose cancers are driven by unrelated mechanisms, or those with advanced disease not suitable for targeted approaches, may not receive direct benefit from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could identify new drug targets or strategies that slow tumor growth and expand treatment options for people with breast and other cancers.
How similar studies have performed: Drugs that inhibit CDK4/6—acting on this same pathway—have already improved outcomes in some breast cancers, but this project targets additional, less-tested molecules and seeks deeper mechanistic answers.
Where this research is happening
Stanford, United States
- Stanford University — Stanford, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Skotheim, Jan M — Stanford University
- Study coordinator: Skotheim, Jan M
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.