How EphA1 and EphA2 proteins interact to control cancer cell behavior
EphA1 homotypic and EphA1-EphA2 heterotypic interactions in cell regulation
['FUNDING_R01'] · CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY · NIH-11241164
This research looks at how two related proteins, EphA1 and EphA2, interact in cancer cells to influence tumor growth and spread.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (CLEVELAND, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11241164 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
Researchers use advanced live-cell fluorescence methods to watch how EphA1 and EphA2 come together on the surface of cancer cells. They compare how each protein forms pairs or multimers alone and how they behave when paired together, using a technique called PIE-FCCS to measure these interactions in real time. The team also links these molecular patterns to cancer signaling pathways such as Ras/ERK and PI3K/Akt and to cell behaviors like migration and growth in laboratory cell models. Understanding these differences may explain why EphA2 can both suppress and promote tumors and reveal the role EphA1 plays in that balance.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with cancers known to involve EphA2 or related receptor signaling, or patients willing to provide tumor samples for research at Case Western Reserve University, would be most relevant.
Not a fit: Patients seeking immediate treatment changes or those whose tumors do not involve Eph receptor signaling are unlikely to benefit directly from this laboratory-focused project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could identify new molecular targets that lead to therapies that better block tumor growth or prevent metastasis.
How similar studies have performed: Prior studies have extensively studied EphA2 and linked it to cancer behavior, but applying live-cell PIE-FCCS to reveal novel EphA1–EphA2 interactions is a relatively new and exploratory approach.
Where this research is happening
CLEVELAND, UNITED STATES
- CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY — CLEVELAND, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: WANG, BINGCHENG — CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY
- Study coordinator: WANG, BINGCHENG
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.
Conditions: Cancer Genes, Cancer cell line, Cancer-Promoting Gene, Cancers