How a mitochondria-linked gene may drive lung cancer spread
Investigation of a mitochondria-associated metastasis regulatory mechanism
The team is testing whether changing a mitochondria-associated autophagy gene can stop lung cancer cells from spreading.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Mayo Clinic Rochester NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Rochester, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11172276 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you have lung cancer, researchers are looking at a gene that links autophagy to mitochondria to see how it affects tumor cells leaving the lung. They will manipulate the gene in lab models and examine cancer cell behavior, mitochondrial function, and markers of metastasis to understand the mechanism. The work is mostly done in the lab with the goal of identifying points where drugs might block spread. Results could guide future clinical tests or trials for people with metastatic lung cancer.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with lung cancer—especially those with or at high risk for metastatic disease—would be the likely candidates for future trials based on this research.
Not a fit: People without lung cancer or patients whose tumors do not depend on this specific pathway are unlikely to benefit directly from this early lab-focused work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new treatments that slow or prevent lung cancer metastasis and improve survival.
How similar studies have performed: Related research has linked autophagy and mitochondrial changes to cancer spread in lab models, but targeting this specific mitochondria-associated gene is a newer and less-tested approach.
Where this research is happening
Rochester, United States
- Mayo Clinic Rochester — Rochester, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mc Niven, Mark a. — Mayo Clinic Rochester
- Study coordinator: Mc Niven, Mark a.
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.