Finding and targeting new mutant drivers in glioma, sarcoma, and endometrial cancer
Systematic Characterization and Targeting of Neomorphic Drivers in Cancer
This project looks for unusual mutations that give cancer cells new harmful abilities and aims to find drugs that block them for people with glioma, sarcoma, or endometrial cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Oregon Health & Science University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Portland, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11190954 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a patient perspective, researchers will use large-scale computer analyses of tumor DNA and gene fusions to spot mutations that create new, unexpected cancer behaviors. They will put candidate mutations into high-throughput laboratory tests and models to see how those changes affect tumor cells and the tumor environment. The team focuses on glioma, sarcoma, and endometrial cancers and will search for biomarkers that indicate which tumors carry these 'neomorphic' changes. If a tumor shows one of these changes, the researchers aim to nominate drugs or strategies that specifically block the new mutant function.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are people with glioma, sarcoma, or endometrial cancer who can provide tumor tissue or genetic data, especially if their tumor has rare point mutations or gene fusions.
Not a fit: People without these cancer types, without the specific mutations or fusions under study, or those needing immediate standard treatment are unlikely to get direct benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new targeted treatments and tests that help match patients to therapies for tumors driven by these unusual mutations.
How similar studies have performed: Targeted therapies for other mutation-driven cancers have worked well in some cases, but deliberately targeting neomorphic (novel-function) mutations is a newer and less-tested approach.
Where this research is happening
Portland, United States
- Oregon Health & Science University — Portland, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mills, Gordon B. — Oregon Health & Science University
- Study coordinator: Mills, Gordon B.
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 below.