Brain metastasis targeting and therapy in small cell lung cancer
Official title: Brain Metastasis Organotropism and Therapy Response in Small Cell Lung Cancer
Funded at Ut Southwestern Medical Center · NIH-11391984 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new plan to study why small cell lung cancer spreads to the brain and how to treat those brain metastases with safer, more effective options.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Ut Southwestern Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Dallas, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2026 |
| Project end | June 30, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $687,594 |
| NIH project number | 1R01CA306009-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11391984 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with small cell lung cancer, especially those with brain metastases or at high risk for brain involvement, and who contribute tumor samples for research.
✕Less likely to help
Some patients may not benefit if their cancer biology differs from the models used or if therapies fail in trials.
What this research studies
This project uses patient-derived tumor samples to build models that mimic how small cell lung cancer spreads to the brain. Researchers will test therapies in these models to find options that prevent brain metastases or treat them with fewer side effects than current treatments. The work relies on detailed molecular data from tumors to understand brain tropism and therapy response. If successful, it could lead to therapies that extend and improve life for people with SCLC who are at risk of brain metastases.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients with small cell lung cancer could have better, less toxic treatments to prevent or control brain metastases and improve survival and quality of life.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work shows that patient-derived models can reflect treatment responses and guide therapy selection, but brain-specific models for SCLC are limited and promising.
Where this research is happening
-
Ut Southwestern Medical Center
Dallas, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Drapkin, Benjamin J — Ut Southwestern Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Drapkin, Benjamin J
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Understanding how small cell lung cancer spreads to the brain
This study is looking into how small cell lung cancer spreads to the brain, which can be a tough challenge for patients, and it hopes to find new ways to treat this issue by understanding how the cancer cells behave in the brain.
-
Understanding how chromosomal instability affects lung cancer spread to the brain and immune response
This study is looking at how certain changes in lung cancer cells might help the cancer spread to the brain and resist treatments, with the goal of finding new ways to help patients with non-small cell lung cancer.
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Understanding what makes small cell lung cancer spread using human stem cells
Researchers will use lung cells made from human stem cells and advanced genetic and sequencing tools to find what causes small cell lung cancer to spread, aiming to help people with SCLC.
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Targeting a newly discovered cancer stem cell driver that helps non-small cell lung cancer spread
This project will test whether blocking a newly found regulator in cancer stem cells can slow progression and spread of non-small cell lung cancer.
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Understanding how lung cancer cells work together to spread
This research aims to understand how groups of lung cancer cells communicate and move together, which causes cancer to spread throughout the body.
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Understanding how small cell lung cancer spreads
This study is looking at how small cell lung cancer spreads aggressively by creating special lung cells from human stem cells, so researchers can better understand what makes the cancer grow and spread, helping to improve treatment for patients like you.
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.