How kidney cancer drugs (TKIs) make heart cells more excitable
Defining Novel Cardiovascular Mechanisms For TKI Induced Excitability
Looking at how common kidney cancer drugs called TKIs can change heart cell activity and raise arrhythmia risk in cancer survivors.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Ohio State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Columbus, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-11166506 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will use heart cells and animal models to study how TKIs alter the heart's sodium channel Nav1.5 and increase late sodium current (INa,L). They will measure reactive oxygen species (ROS) and activation of CaMKII and test whether phosphorylation of Nav1.5 at Ser571 links these signals to arrhythmia. The team will combine molecular experiments, electrical recordings, and drug tests to map the pathway that makes hearts more excitable. Results are intended to point to targets or strategies to protect the heart during TKI therapy.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People treated with or who have received TKIs for kidney cancer and who are concerned about heart rhythm problems.
Not a fit: Patients whose heart problems are unrelated to TKIs or who never received these drugs are unlikely to benefit directly from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could point to ways to prevent or treat TKI-related heart rhythm problems so cancer treatments are safer for survivors.
How similar studies have performed: Previous laboratory studies have linked TKIs to changes in cardiac sodium channels and ROS/CaMKII signaling, but this project aims to define new molecular steps that connect those changes to dangerous heart rhythms.
Where this research is happening
Columbus, UNITED STATES
- Ohio State University — Columbus, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Smith, Sakima Ahmad — Ohio State University
- Study coordinator: Smith, Sakima Ahmad
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.