Creating 3D models of human pituitary tumors to find new treatments for Cushing Disease

Development of 3-dimensional human pituitary corticotroph tumor cultures as a preclinical model for drug discovery

NIH-funded research University of California Los Angeles · NIH-10877036

This study is working on a new way to grow pituitary tumors in the lab to learn more about Cushing Disease, which could help find better treatments for patients like you.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of California Los Angeles NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Los Angeles, United States)
Project IDNIH-10877036 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on developing a three-dimensional (3D) culture system for human pituitary corticotroph tumors, which are responsible for Cushing Disease. By using advanced techniques like single cell RNA-sequencing and microarray analysis, the researchers aim to understand the genetic and cellular characteristics of these tumors. The goal is to create a reliable model that can be used for drug discovery and to better understand how these tumors behave over time. Patients with Cushing Disease may benefit from the insights gained through this innovative approach, potentially leading to new treatment options.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with Cushing Disease caused by ACTH-secreting pituitary adenomas.

Not a fit: Patients with other types of pituitary tumors or those not affected by Cushing Disease may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to the development of more effective treatments for patients suffering from Cushing Disease.

How similar studies have performed: While the approach of creating 3D tumor models is gaining traction, this specific application for Cushing Disease is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested in prior studies.

Where this research is happening

Los Angeles, 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.
Last reviewed 2026-06-10 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.