How aging and genes shape lung cancer

Dissecting the interplay between aging, genotype and the microenvironment in lung cancer

NIH-funded research Stanford University · NIH-11120921

This work looks at how getting older and specific gene changes influence early lung cancer in adults.

Quick facts

Grant typeU01 cooperative agreement
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionStanford University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Stanford, United States)
Project IDNIH-11120921 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

If I were someone at risk for lung adenocarcinoma, this project would study how aging and particular gene changes affect the start and growth of tumors. The team uses genetically engineered mice and CRISPR gene editing to create tumors that resemble human lung cancer and applies tumor barcoding (Tuba-seq) to count and measure many tumors at once. They compare young and old animals and examine the tumor microenvironment and large panels of genes to find age-related differences. The goal is to reveal biological pathways tied to aging that could point to better prevention or targeted treatments for older adults with lung cancer.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Adults age 21 and older who are concerned about or diagnosed with lung adenocarcinoma would be most interested in the findings, although the project is preclinical rather than a patient treatment.

Not a fit: People seeking an immediate clinical treatment or those with cancers unrelated to lung adenocarcinoma are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this laboratory-focused work.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this could uncover age-related mechanisms that lead to new prevention strategies or targeted therapies for older adults with lung cancer.

How similar studies have performed: Related CRISPR-based mouse models and tumor-barcoding studies have successfully identified gene effects on tumor growth in preclinical research, but moving those discoveries to human therapies remains at an early stage.

Where this research is happening

Stanford, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.