High-precision mutation mapping to predict resistance to cancer drugs
Development of Deep Mutational Scanning with Duplex Sequencing (DMS-DS) for anti-cancer drug evaluation and administration
This project builds an ultra-accurate lab test to map which drug-resistant mutations can arise in cancers treated with targeted therapies, with a focus on drugs that target the BCR-ABL protein.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 2 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Atlas Biologics, LLC NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (State College, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-11247617 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a patient's point of view, researchers will create many possible changes in cancer-related proteins and use a very precise sequencing method to see which changes let cancer cells survive drug treatment. They combine deep mutational scanning with Duplex Sequencing to detect extremely rare mutations that ordinary sequencing can miss. The team plans to scale this process into a commercial screening service used by drug developers to test and improve targeted cancer drugs. Early work will focus on known BCR-ABL inhibitors used in cancers like chronic myeloid leukemia.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with cancers treated by BCR-ABL targeted drugs (for example, chronic myeloid leukemia) or those on targeted kinase inhibitors are the most directly relevant patient group.
Not a fit: Patients whose cancers are not treated with targeted kinase inhibitors or whose tumors are driven by unrelated mechanisms are unlikely to benefit directly from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could help drug makers design targeted therapies that avoid common resistance mutations, potentially making treatments work longer for patients.
How similar studies have performed: Related lab-based mutation-mapping approaches have identified resistance changes before, but combining deep mutational scanning with ultra-accurate Duplex Sequencing and scaling it for industry use is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
State College, UNITED STATES
- Atlas Biologics, LLC — State College, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Reynolds, Joshua — Atlas Biologics, LLC
- Study coordinator: Reynolds, Joshua
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.