Circular RNA's role in lung cancer spread

Circle RNA Regulation of Lung Cancer Metastasis

NIH-funded research Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill · NIH-11301898

Testing whether a circular RNA called CDR1as helps lung squamous cancer spread by stabilizing a related protein (CDR1), using patient tumor data and lab/animal models.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniv of North Carolina Chapel Hill NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Chapel Hill, United States)
Project IDNIH-11301898 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This project links patterns seen in patient lung squamous tumors with experiments in engineered mouse models that mimic how this cancer spreads. Researchers will raise or lower levels of a circular RNA (CDR1as) and the CDR1 protein to see how those changes affect metastasis. They will also study how CDR1 interacts with Golgi trafficking proteins and RNA processing pathways to find the molecular steps that let tumor cells migrate. The goal is to pinpoint pathways or markers that could be targeted to stop or detect metastatic disease.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: People with lung squamous cell carcinoma, especially those with advanced or metastatic disease who can share tumor samples or clinical data, would be most relevant.

Not a fit: People with other lung cancer types (such as adenocarcinoma) or those with early-stage disease unlikely to metastasize may not directly benefit from this work.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal new targets or biomarkers to prevent or detect metastatic lung squamous carcinoma.

How similar studies have performed: Studies linking circular RNAs to cancer progression exist, but targeting circRNAs therapeutically is still a novel and experimental approach.

Where this research is happening

Chapel Hill, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions Cancer CauseCancer Etiology
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.