EGFR signaling changes to help GBM cells cope with membrane stress
Official title: EGFR signaling network adaptations to overcome RAS-induced membrane stress in glioblastoma
Funded at University of Virginia · NIH-11418085 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study in glioblastoma researchers will map how EGFR and its mutant EGFRvIII help cancer cells survive membrane stress and methuosis, using computer modeling and lab experiments.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Virginia NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Charlottesville, United States) |
| Project start | September 12, 2022 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $406,106 |
| NIH project number | 5U54CA274499-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11418085 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with glioblastoma characterized by EGFR amplification or EGFRvIII expression may benefit from future therapies informed by these results.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without GBM or those whose tumors do not show EGFRvIII-associated adaptations may not benefit directly.
What this research studies
This project looks at how EGFR amplification and EGFRvIII mutations interact in glioblastoma to manage stress at the cell membrane. Scientists will build a computational model of the EGFR/EGFRvIII network to predict how protein interactions influence survival pathways. They will connect these predictions to experiments in GBM cells to understand why EGFRvIII may help cells avoid a form of cell death called methuosis. The work aims to reveal network adaptations that could become targets for new therapies. The grant supports collaboration at the University of Virginia over several years to advance this specific disease biology.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could identify new targets to disrupt GBM cell survival pathways and improve therapeutic strategies.
How similar studies have gone: Prior studies have shown that EGFR signaling is linked to glioblastoma biology, and computational models have helped predict network behavior in cancer cells.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Virginia
Charlottesville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lazzara, Matthew J — University of Virginia
- Study coordinator: Lazzara, Matthew J
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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.