Genetics and Genomics of Leiomyosarcoma: better understanding and new options for diagnosis and treatment
Official title: Genetics and Genomics of Leiomyosarcoma (LMS): Improved understanding of cancer biology and new approaches to diagnosis and treatment
Funded at University of Michigan at Ann Arbor · NIH-11419778 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A large research program is exploring the genetic drivers of leiomyosarcoma to help develop better ways to diagnose and treat this cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| 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 | September 16, 2022 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $2,367,476 |
| NIH project number | 5P50CA272170-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11419778 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with leiomyosarcoma or related soft tissue sarcomas, particularly those with TP53 mutations or germline DNA repair gene alterations, may be eligible for related studies or future trials.
✕Less likely to help
Some patients may not directly benefit if their tumor biology does not align with the identified markers or if they are not enrolled in translational components.
What this research studies
This grant supports a multi-institutional effort to study how TP53 mutations and other DNA repair genes influence leiomyosarcoma. The work combines cancer genetics, epidemiology, and translational studies to translate findings into improved survival and quality of life for patients. Researchers aim to integrate genomic data with clinical care to identify new diagnostic markers and potential treatment strategies. The program emphasizes collaboration across teams to tackle this rare sarcoma more effectively.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the project could lead to earlier diagnosis, better prognostic markers, and new treatment approaches for leiomyosarcoma.
How similar studies have gone: Previous sarcoma research shows that genomic insights can guide prognosis and targeted therapy, though LMS-specific breakthroughs are still emerging.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Schuetze, Scott Michael — University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
- Study coordinator: Schuetze, Scott Michael
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Leiomyosarcoma treatment insights from tumor genetics
A study looks at how tumor genetics relate to how leiomyosarcoma patients respond to standard systemic therapies.
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Genomic vulnerabilities in leiomyosarcoma: targeting DNA-PK pathways
This grant aims to find targeted ways to treat leiomyosarcoma by exploiting the tumor’s DNA repair weaknesses and testing biomarkers that may guide therapy.
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Targeting DNA repair weaknesses in leiomyosarcoma
This project tests drugs that block a DNA-repair enzyme to make leiomyosarcoma tumors more sensitive to treatment for people with metastatic LMS.
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Understanding the genes behind leiomyosarcoma to improve diagnosis and treatment
This project looks at how inherited and tumor gene changes, especially TP53 and other DNA repair genes, affect people with leiomyosarcoma to help create better tests and therapies.
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Developing a new mouse model for a rare type of uterine cancer
This study is creating special mice that have a type of uterine cancer called leiomyosarcoma, so researchers can learn more about the disease and find better treatments for people who have it.
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Understanding genetic weaknesses in leiomyosarcoma
This study is looking at leiomyosarcoma, a tough type of cancer, to understand how certain genetic changes can affect how it responds to treatment, with the goal of finding better ways to target and treat this cancer for patients like you.
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.