Creating 3D models of tumors to understand cancer drug resistance
Official title: Multiscale hydrogel biomaterials-enabled 3D modeling of cancer drug resistance
Funded at Univ of Maryland, College Park · NIH-11056053 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on creating realistic 3D models of tumors using special materials to help understand why some tumors resist cancer treatments, which could lead to better, personalized therapies for patients like you.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of Maryland, College Park NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (College Park, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2023 |
| Project end | March 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $416,785 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA279815-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11056053 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients with various types of cancer who are experiencing drug resistance to current treatments.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with early-stage cancer who have not yet undergone treatment may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing advanced 3D models of tumors that better mimic the actual conditions found in human patients. By using innovative hydrogel biomaterials, the team aims to create vascularized tumor structures that can reveal how tumors resist cancer treatments. The approach involves building micro-tumors and integrating them with blood vessel cells to form complex networks, allowing for a more accurate study of drug resistance mechanisms. This could lead to more effective cancer therapies tailored to individual patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to the development of more effective cancer treatments by improving our understanding of how tumors resist drugs.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using 3D tumor models to study cancer, but this specific approach of creating vascularized tumors is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
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Univ of Maryland, College Park
College Park, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: He, Xiaoming — Univ of Maryland, College Park
- Study coordinator: He, Xiaoming
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.