How ferroptosis — a unique form of cell death — is controlled in cancer
Characterizing the Regulation of Ferroptosis
Researchers are comparing two different ways cells undergo ferroptosis to find drug targets that might help treat cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Stanford University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Stanford, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11320861 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a patient's perspective, this work looks at two distinct ways cells can die by ferroptosis to learn which genes and fats drive each route. Scientists will use chemical tools, gene changes, lipid analysis, and imaging in lab-grown cells and animal models to spot key differences. The team aims to identify molecules or pathways that could be targeted with drugs or used as markers to predict tumor response. This basic research could guide future tests or clinical trials that try to kill cancer cells by triggering ferroptosis.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for related future studies would be people with cancers whose tumors can be sampled or patients eligible for clinical trials testing ferroptosis-targeting drugs.
Not a fit: People without cancer or whose tumors do not rely on ferroptosis pathways are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the project could reveal new treatment targets or tests that help doctors make tumor cells die more effectively.
How similar studies have performed: Prior laboratory studies show ferroptosis-targeting approaches can kill tumor cells and slow cancer in animal models, but clinical proof in humans remains limited.
Where this research is happening
Stanford, United States
- Stanford University — Stanford, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Dixon, Scott — Stanford University
- Study coordinator: Dixon, Scott
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.