Developing a new cell therapy to combat drug resistance in lung cancer

Personalization and Failure Testing of Dual Switch Gene Drives in Lung Cancer

['FUNDING_U01'] · PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY, THE · NIH-10977532

This study is testing a new type of cell therapy for people with non-small-cell lung cancer that helps the treatment adapt to the cancer's changes, making it more effective against drug resistance.

Quick facts

Phase['FUNDING_U01']
Study typeNih_funding
SexAll
SponsorPENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY, THE (nih funded)
Locations1 site (UNIVERSITY PARK, UNITED STATES)
Trial IDNIH-10977532 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this research studies

This research focuses on creating a novel cell therapy designed to address the challenge of drug resistance in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). By utilizing synthetic biology, the therapy aims to engineer tumor evolution in real-time, allowing the cells to adapt and respond to changing therapeutic environments. The approach involves dual-switch gene drives that can sense and react to specific molecules, providing a dynamic response to drug resistance mechanisms. Patients may benefit from a more effective treatment option that can outsmart the cancer's ability to resist therapies.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with non-small-cell lung cancer who have experienced drug resistance to current therapies.

Not a fit: Patients with lung cancer types other than non-small-cell lung cancer may not receive benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective treatments for lung cancer patients by overcoming drug resistance.

How similar studies have performed: While the approach of using synthetic biology in cancer treatment is innovative, similar strategies have shown promise in other areas of cancer research.

Where this research is happening

UNIVERSITY PARK, 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.

View on NIH RePORTER →

Conditions: Cancer Biology, Cancer Genes, Cancer Patient, Cancer cell line, Cancer-Promoting Gene

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 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.