Genetic changes and target genes in adenoid cystic carcinoma
Official title: Mutations and Target Genes in Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma
Funded at University of New Mexico Health Scis Ctr · NIH-11294168 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are analyzing genetic changes in adenoid cystic carcinoma tumors to find gene targets that could lead to better tests and treatments for people with ACC.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of New Mexico Health Scis Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Albuquerque, United States) |
| Project start | September 10, 2012 |
| Project end | February 29, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $431,067 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DE023222-13 |
| Project ID | NIH-11294168 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People diagnosed with adenoid cystic carcinoma (including salivary gland, lacrimal gland, breast, or skin ACC) who can provide tumor tissue or medical records would be the ideal candidates to contribute.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with other cancer types or those unable or unwilling to provide tissue samples are unlikely to benefit directly from this project.
What this research studies
This project looks at tumor tissue and cell samples to find mutations and gene changes linked to adenoid cystic carcinoma, with special focus on the MYB gene and its fusions. Scientists use genomic sequencing and bioinformatics to compare tumors that have MYB-NFIB fusions with those that do not. The work includes examining tumor samples from different body sites where ACC can arise, such as salivary glands, lacrimal glands, breast, and skin. Findings aim to point to biomarkers or molecular targets that could guide future therapies or follow-up strategies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could reveal biomarkers and gene targets that help tailor treatments or predict who is at higher risk of recurrence or metastasis.
How similar studies have gone: Prior research has already identified MYB-NFIB fusions in many ACC tumors, so this work builds on known findings while addressing tumor types that remain less understood.
Where this research is happening
-
University of New Mexico Health Scis Ctr
Albuquerque, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Palanisamy, Viswanathan — University of New Mexico Health Scis Ctr
- Study coordinator: Palanisamy, Viswanathan
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Exploring understudied proteins as potential drug targets for adenoid cystic carcinoma
A small NIH grant is funding a patient-focused look at rare salivary gland cancer to find new proteins that could become targeted treatments.
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DNA methylation clues to predict and guide ACC treatment
This project looks at DNA methylation patterns in adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) to find markers that predict how aggressive the cancer will be and how patients might respond to therapy.
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Salivary gland cancer: how nerves may drive growth and how to stop it
Aims to understand how nerve signals help adenoid cystic carcinoma grow and test therapies that could interrupt those signals to help patients.
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Using tumor and blood DNA methylation to predict outcomes and guide treatment for adenoid cystic carcinoma
This project looks at DNA methylation patterns in tumor tissue and blood to help predict how adenoid cystic carcinoma will behave and to guide treatment choices for people with ACC.
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Using DNA Methylation to Improve Treatment for Salivary Gland Cancer
This study is looking at how changes in DNA can help doctors understand different types of adenoid cystic carcinoma, a kind of salivary gland cancer, by checking tumor samples and blood from patients to find clues that could improve treatment and track how the disease is doing.
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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.