Finding new drug combinations to overcome cancer cell resistance
Official title: Developing inhibitor combinations through identification of drug tolerant cell populations
Funded at University of Illinois at Chicago · NIH-11061329 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how some cancer cells learn to resist treatment, so we can find new ways to make cancer therapies work better for patients like you.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Illinois at Chicago NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | April 1, 2024 |
| Project end | March 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $186,883 |
| NIH project number | 5R21CA282428-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11061329 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates include cancer patients whose tumors have shown resistance to current therapies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with cancers that do not exhibit drug resistance may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how certain cancer cells become tolerant to treatments, which limits the effectiveness of anti-cancer therapies. By analyzing different populations of cancer cells, the researchers aim to identify specific vulnerabilities that can be targeted with new drug combinations. The approach involves using advanced techniques like single-cell RNA analysis to understand how these cells respond to treatments and to develop strategies that can eliminate drug-tolerant cells. Patients may benefit from more effective cancer therapies that can overcome resistance.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective cancer treatments that can overcome drug resistance in patients.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in targeting drug-resistant cancer cells, suggesting that this approach could be effective.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Illinois at Chicago
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Benevolenskaya, Elizaveta V — University of Illinois at Chicago
- Study coordinator: Benevolenskaya, Elizaveta V
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.