Cell State Network–Directed Therapy for Cancer
Official title: Cell State Network-Directed Therapy
Funded at Clemson University · NIH-11401125 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A cancer research project that aims to outsmart drug resistance by using a network view of cancer cell states to guide combination therapies.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Clemson University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Clemson, United States) |
| Project start | September 20, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $528,863 |
| NIH project number | 5U01CA290442-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11401125 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with cancers where drug resistance and cell-state plasticity drive progression may benefit from future translational work.
✕Less likely to help
This research is primarily preclinical/modeling; direct benefits will depend on later clinical translation.
What this research studies
This grant focuses on how cancer cells change states in response to drugs and how those changes drive resistance. Researchers will build computational models and test drug combinations to push cancer cells toward drug-sensitive states and away from resistant ones. The approach combines analysis of gene activity patterns and epigenetic changes to predict effective treatment sequences. The work involves both modeling and laboratory testing to identify promising drug pairs among approved anti-cancer drugs. The goal is to tailor therapy strategies that stay ahead of cancer’s cell state shifts.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could receive more effective drug combinations that stay ahead of resistance and improve outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work suggests cell-state dynamics influence drug response, and combining drugs guided by models has shown promise in early studies.
Where this research is happening
-
Clemson University
Clemson, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Birtwistle, Marc R. — Clemson University
- Study coordinator: Birtwistle, Marc R.
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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.