Finding Hidden Genetic Causes of Cancer
Unveiling non-coding drivers of cancer
['FUNDING_R01'] · UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO · NIH-11143794
This project looks for new genetic changes in cancer that don't make proteins, hoping to find new ways to understand and treat the disease.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (CHICAGO, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11143794 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
Cancer often happens when DNA changes disrupt important genes, leading to tumor growth. While much is known about genes that make proteins, there are many 'non-coding' genes whose roles in cancer are less clear. This project aims to discover these hidden non-coding genes that drive cancer growth, spread, and drug resistance. By looking at large amounts of existing cancer data from many patients, we hope to identify new genetic markers. This work could open new doors for personalized cancer treatments.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Patients with various types of cancer could potentially benefit from future treatments or diagnostic tools developed from this fundamental genetic understanding.
Not a fit: Patients seeking immediate new treatments or direct clinical trial participation would not directly benefit from this foundational genetic discovery project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new ways to diagnose cancer, predict its behavior, and develop new targeted therapies by identifying previously unknown genetic drivers.
How similar studies have performed: While protein-coding genes have been extensively studied, the role of non-coding RNAs in cancer is a rapidly emerging field with some known examples, but the vast majority remain unexplored.
Where this research is happening
CHICAGO, UNITED STATES
- UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO — CHICAGO, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: YANG, LIXING — UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO
- Study coordinator: YANG, LIXING
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.
Conditions: Cancer Genes, Cancer-Promoting Gene, Cancers