Finding tumor weak spots and drug-resistance patterns one cell at a time
Elucidating and Targeting tumor dependencies and drug resistance determinants at the single cell level
This project uses single-cell tests to find shared vulnerabilities and drug-resistance patterns in tumors to help adults with cancers such as breast cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Columbia University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11180999 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will analyze individual tumor cells from patient samples using single-cell assays and advanced computational tools to map groups of proteins (called Tumor Checkpoints) that keep cancer cells alive. The team focuses on mutation-agnostic dependencies so therapies might work across different genetic backgrounds of the same tumor type. They will study how cancer cells reprogram themselves after treatment to become drug resistant and test strategies to disrupt those shared programs. Work uses clinical-grade samples and assays to help move promising findings toward treatments for patients.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults with solid tumors (for example, breast adenocarcinoma) who can provide tumor tissue or participate in follow-up protocols would be the best fit.
Not a fit: Children, people with non-solid cancers, or those unable to provide tissue samples may not be eligible or benefit directly from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could lead to therapies that work across many patients with the same tumor type and prevent or reverse drug resistance.
How similar studies have performed: Single-cell profiling and master-regulator targeting are promising and supported by preclinical results, but remain largely experimental with limited proven clinical success so far.
Where this research is happening
New York, United States
- Columbia University Health Sciences — New York, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Califano, Andrea — Columbia University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Califano, Andrea
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.