EGFR and HER2 gene changes that drive cancer and drug resistance
Functional Characterization of HER Family Variant Biology and Resistance in Cancer
This project studies whether specific changes in the EGFR and HER2 genes make cancers grow or stop responding to targeted drugs, to help people whose tumors have these gene changes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California Los Angeles NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11189618 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will take EGFR and HER2 gene changes found in patient tumor sequencing and test them in lab-grown cells and model systems to see if they make cancer cells grow or survive drug treatment. They will use functional genomics screens and molecular biology experiments to pinpoint which missense variants are cancer drivers and which cause resistance to EGFR/HER2-targeted therapies. Some experiments may use animal models and patient-derived samples to study how variants behave in living systems. The goal is to turn variants of unknown significance into information clinicians can use when choosing targeted treatments.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are people whose tumors have EGFR or HER2 missense mutations identified on clinical sequencing, especially variants currently classified as of unknown significance.
Not a fit: Patients whose cancers do not involve EGFR or HER2 alterations or whose treatment decisions do not depend on these gene changes are unlikely to benefit directly from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help doctors match patients to the most effective EGFR- or HER2-targeted therapies and avoid ineffective treatments.
How similar studies have performed: Targeted EGFR and HER2 drugs have helped many patients with known activating mutations, but many specific missense variants remain untested and this project addresses that gap.
Where this research is happening
Los Angeles, United States
- University of California Los Angeles — Los Angeles, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hayes, Tikvah K — University of California Los Angeles
- Study coordinator: Hayes, Tikvah K
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 below.