Creating better models to understand how basal cell carcinoma responds to treatment
Official title: Developing Improved Models of Basal Cell Carcinoma to Evaluate Tumor-Drug Response
Funded at University of Michigan at Ann Arbor · NIH-10518702 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on better ways to understand and treat basal cell carcinoma, the most common skin cancer, by testing how tumors in mice respond to treatments, which could help find more effective options for patients like you.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Michigan at Ann Arbor NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Ann Arbor, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2022 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2022 |
| Award (this year) | $401,117 |
| NIH project number | 1R21CA267941-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10518702 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include patients with locally advanced or inherited basal cell carcinoma who may require treatment with Hedgehog pathway inhibitors.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with non-malignant skin conditions or those without basal cell carcinoma may not receive any benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on improving the models used to study basal cell carcinoma (BCC), the most common cancer in North America. The team aims to develop techniques to biopsy BCC tumors in mice and analyze their response to existing treatments like vismodegib. By generating new cell lines from these tumors, they will evaluate how well these cells respond to different drugs, which could lead to better treatment options for patients. The goal is to overcome the limitations of current models that hinder the development of effective therapies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective treatments for patients with basal cell carcinoma, particularly those who do not respond well to current therapies.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in developing new models for cancer treatment, but this specific approach to basal cell carcinoma is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wong, Sunny Y — University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
- Study coordinator: Wong, Sunny Y
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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.