How damaged tumor cells that survive send cell-membrane signals
Necrotic survivors and plasma membrane integrity signaling
This project looks at how cancer cells that suffer partial membrane damage can send signals that may encourage tumor growth.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Methodist Hospital Research Institute NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11472309 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers are studying cells that nearly die but survive after their outer membrane is punctured, tracing the signals those “survivor” cells release. They will search for the molecular sensors and signaling steps (called Plasma Membrane Integrity, or PMI, signaling) that trigger secretion of chemokines and cytokines. The team will use lab-grown cells, animal models, and human tumor samples where available to test whether blocking these signals reduces tumor-promoting inflammation. Ultimately the work aims to identify targets that could be tested in future therapies to limit cancer progression.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with solid tumors who can provide tumor tissue or participate in future clinical tests of drugs that block PMI signaling would be the best candidates.
Not a fit: People without cancer or those with cancers driven by unrelated mechanisms are unlikely to gain direct benefit from this research right now.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could identify new targets to stop surviving tumor cells from promoting cancer growth and improve cancer treatment outcomes.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown that membrane repair and lytic cell death can trigger inflammation, but targeting surviving necrotic cells to block tumor-promoting signaling is a relatively new and mostly untested idea.
Where this research is happening
Houston, United States
- Methodist Hospital Research Institute — Houston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gong, Yi-Nan — Methodist Hospital Research Institute
- Study coordinator: Gong, Yi-Nan
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.