Exosome-delivered microRNA therapy for resistant lung cancer
Official title: Exosomal Based micro RNA delivery for Resistant Lung Cancer
Funded at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical Univ · NIH-11325757 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Seeing if tiny natural particles called exosomes can carry microRNA to help treat lung cancers that have stopped responding to EGFR-targeted drugs like osimertinib.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Florida Agricultural and Mechanical Univ NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Tallahassee, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2023 |
| Project end | March 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $148,000 |
| NIH project number | 5R16GM149462-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11325757 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with EGFR-mutant non-small cell lung cancer whose tumors have become resistant to EGFR-targeted drugs like osimertinib would be the most relevant candidates for future related trials.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with lung cancers that lack EGFR mutations or those seeking immediate standard-of-care treatments are unlikely to benefit from this preclinical research at this time.
What this research studies
This project develops a therapy that packages microRNA into exosomes—small natural delivery particles—to target non-small cell lung cancers that have become resistant to EGFR inhibitors. Researchers are using exosomes made by natural killer cells because these showed stronger tumor-killing effects in lab-grown patient-derived lung tumor cells and in mouse graft models. In experiments, the exosomes reduced proteins linked to resistance and triggered tumor cell death, and the team will refine delivery and dosing in preclinical models. The work is focused on overcoming acquired resistance mechanisms such as the T790M EGFR mutation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could provide a new way to overcome drug resistance and shrink tumors in some patients with EGFR-mutant non-small cell lung cancer.
How similar studies have gone: Early laboratory and animal studies of exosome-based delivery show promise in slowing tumor growth, but this approach is still experimental and has not yet been proven in people.
Where this research is happening
-
Florida Agricultural and Mechanical Univ
Tallahassee, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sachdeva, Mandip Singh — Florida Agricultural and Mechanical Univ
- Study coordinator: Sachdeva, Mandip Singh
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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.