Finding new uses for existing cancer drugs using advanced genetic analysis.
Official title: Personalized cancer drug repurposing using single cell RNA-Seq data
Funded at University of Michigan at Ann Arbor · NIH-11126194 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how different types of cancer work and their surroundings to find new ways to use existing medicines for better treatments, especially for patients whose cancers are hard to treat.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R03 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Michigan at Ann Arbor NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Ann Arbor, United States) |
| Project start | June 10, 2025 |
| Project end | May 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $303,258 |
| NIH project number | 1R03OD039978-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11126194 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients with heterogeneous cancers, particularly those who have tumors likely to develop resistance to current therapies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with early-stage cancers that are easily treatable with standard therapies may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding the complex nature of human cancers and their environments to develop personalized cancer therapies. By utilizing cutting-edge single-cell RNA sequencing technology, the project aims to identify existing drugs that can be repurposed for new cancer treatments. The researchers will enhance a computational framework called ASGARD, which analyzes genetic data at the single-cell level to match drugs with specific tumor characteristics. This approach aims to provide more effective treatment options for patients with resistant cancers.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more personalized and effective cancer treatments by repurposing existing drugs.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in drug repurposing strategies using genomic data, indicating that this approach could be effective.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Garmire, Lana X — University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
- Study coordinator: Garmire, Lana X
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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.