Developing advanced cell therapies to combat drug resistance in lung cancer

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

NIH-funded research Pennsylvania State University, the · NIH-10923993

This study is exploring new ways to help treat non-small-cell lung cancer by developing smart cell therapies that can adapt to changes in the tumor, making them better at overcoming resistance to treatment, so patients can have more effective and lasting options.

Quick facts

Grant typeU01 cooperative agreement
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionPennsylvania State University, the NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (University Park, United States)
Project IDNIH-10923993 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on creating innovative cell therapies that can adapt to the changing environment of lung tumors, specifically targeting non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). By utilizing synthetic biology, the project aims to design 'dual-switch selection drives' that allow these therapies to sense and respond to drug resistance mechanisms in real-time. This approach seeks to outsmart the tumor's ability to evolve and resist treatment, potentially leading to more effective and lasting therapies for patients. The research involves testing these therapies in controlled environments to ensure they can effectively manage tumor evolution.

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 or are at risk of developing drug resistance.

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

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide patients with more effective treatments for lung cancer that adapt to and overcome 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 preliminary studies, indicating potential for success.

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.
Conditions Cancer BiologyCancer GenesCancer PatientCancer cell lineCancer-Promoting Gene
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.