Exploring how to target key regulators in liver cancer
Official title: Understanding and Targeting Transcriptional Master Regulators in Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Funded at Columbia University Health Sciences · NIH-11050611 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at liver cancer to find out what makes the cancer cells tick, so we can discover new ways to treat it and help patients get better with more targeted therapies.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Columbia University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | December 15, 2024 |
| Project end | November 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $687,679 |
| NIH project number | 1R01CA289606-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11050611 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with hepatocellular carcinoma, particularly those with limited treatment options.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with early-stage liver cancer or those who do not have hepatocellular carcinoma may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), a rapidly increasing type of liver cancer that is difficult to treat due to its genetic diversity and low number of actionable mutations. The team aims to identify and characterize the transcriptional master regulators that drive cancer cell behavior, which could lead to new therapeutic strategies. By understanding the unique genetic and molecular features of HCC, the research seeks to uncover vulnerabilities in tumor cells that can be targeted more effectively. Patients may benefit from novel treatment options that directly address the cancer cells rather than just the surrounding environment.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective treatments for liver cancer, potentially improving survival rates for patients.
How similar studies have gone: While there has been some success in targeting the tumor microenvironment in cancer treatment, this approach focusing on transcriptional master regulators in HCC is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Columbia University Health Sciences
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Schwabe, Robert F. — Columbia University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Schwabe, Robert F.
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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.