Finding drugs that change cancer stem cells' electrical signals and growth
A multiplexed high-throughput platform to report pharmacologic alteration of cancer stem cell membrane potential and cell cycle state
Researchers are testing lab methods to find drugs that shift cancer stem cells' electrical signals and slow their growth for people with cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Methodist Hospital Research Institute NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11314488 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a patient's view, the team is building a high-throughput lab platform that reads electrical signals in cancer stem cells and tracks their cell cycle over time. They will combine genetically encoded voltage and cell-cycle sensors so many drug treatments can be screened at once and followed longitudinally. The approach is designed to overcome limits of current dyes and electrodes by allowing longer and multiplexed measurements in cultured cells. Results will help identify compounds that push cancer stem cells toward differentiation and away from aggressive growth.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would be people with cancers linked to stem-like tumor cells who can donate tumor tissue or otherwise contribute samples for laboratory testing.
Not a fit: Patients without accessible tumor samples or whose cancers are unlikely driven by stem-like cell biology may not see direct benefit from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could speed discovery of drugs that make cancer stem cells less aggressive and improve future treatments.
How similar studies have performed: This is a relatively new lab approach that builds on promising basic research but has not yet produced proven patient therapies.
Where this research is happening
Houston, United States
- Methodist Hospital Research Institute — Houston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Rostomily, Robert C — Methodist Hospital Research Institute
- Study coordinator: Rostomily, Robert C
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.