Exploring a new way to kill cancer cells using ferroptosis
Official title: Targeting ferroptosis in cancer therapy
Funded at University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr · NIH-11034144 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at a special way that cancer cells can die, called ferroptosis, and how we can use this knowledge to create new treatments for cancer, especially for those tough-to-treat types.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project start | March 1, 2023 |
| Project end | February 28, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $493,996 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA269646-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11034144 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients with cancers that exhibit resistance to traditional therapies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with early-stage cancers that are highly responsive to standard treatments may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates a unique form of cell death called ferroptosis, which is triggered by iron and excessive lipid peroxidation. The study aims to understand how this process can be harnessed to develop new cancer therapies. Researchers will focus on the role of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), which helps regulate energy in cells, and how it influences ferroptosis in cancer cells. By identifying the mechanisms behind ferroptosis, the goal is to create effective treatments that can target resistant cancer cells.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to innovative cancer therapies that effectively target and kill cancer cells resistant to current treatments.
How similar studies have gone: While the concept of targeting ferroptosis is relatively novel, preliminary studies have shown promise in understanding its mechanisms and potential therapeutic applications.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr
Houston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gan, Boyi — University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr
- Study coordinator: Gan, Boyi
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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.