Exploring why some colorectal cancers resist treatment targeting KRAS

Understanding intrinsic resistance to direct KRAS inhibition in colorectal cancers

NIH-funded research University of California, San Francisco · NIH-11001173

This study is looking into why some colorectal cancers don’t respond well to treatments that target the KRAS gene, and it aims to find new ways to make these treatments work better for patients who need more effective options.

Quick facts

Grant typeR37 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of California, San Francisco NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (San Francisco, United States)
Project IDNIH-11001173 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates the mechanisms behind why colorectal cancers often do not respond to treatments that target the KRAS gene. The team is using advanced techniques, including proteomics and kinome-wide knockdown, to identify specific kinases that may help overcome this resistance. By understanding the signaling pathways involved, the researchers aim to find ways to enhance the effectiveness of KRAS inhibitors in colorectal cancer patients. This could lead to more effective treatment options for those who currently have limited responses to existing therapies.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are patients with metastatic colorectal cancer, particularly those with KRAS mutations who have not responded well to existing treatments.

Not a fit: Patients with colorectal cancer who do not have KRAS mutations or those whose cancer is not metastatic may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatment strategies for colorectal cancer patients who are resistant to current KRAS-targeting therapies.

How similar studies have performed: While there have been successful approaches targeting KRAS in other cancers, this specific investigation into colorectal cancer resistance mechanisms is relatively novel.

Where this research is happening

San Francisco, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
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Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.