How loss of SETD2 drives lung adenocarcinoma growth
Identifying the Impact of SETD2 Inactivation in Lung Adenocarcinoma
['FUNDING_R01'] · UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA · NIH-11240268
This project looks at whether cutting dietary methionine or using drugs that change methionine-related metabolism can slow lung cancers that have lost the SETD2 gene.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (PHILADELPHIA, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11240268 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
From my perspective as a patient, the team studies lung tumors that lack the gene SETD2 using lab-grown tumor cells and mouse models. They found that losing SETD2 raises levels of S-adenosyl methionine (SAM) and turns on mTORC1, which helps tumors grow. The researchers showed that lowering dietary methionine slowed KRAS-driven lung tumors in mice and now plan to test drugs that target the methionine/one-carbon cycle. The goal is to find drug or dietary approaches that selectively hurt SETD2-deficient tumors and could move toward patient testing.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would be people with lung adenocarcinoma whose tumors have SETD2 loss-of-function mutations, especially those with KRAS-driven disease.
Not a fit: Patients without SETD2-deficient tumors or those with other lung cancer types (for example, squamous cell carcinoma) are less likely to benefit from these specific approaches.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new metabolic or dietary-based treatments for patients whose lung tumors have SETD2 loss.
How similar studies have performed: Preclinical mouse work by the team showed methionine restriction can slow KRAS-driven tumors, but targeting SAM/one-carbon metabolism in SETD2-deficient human tumors is a relatively new and translational step.
Where this research is happening
PHILADELPHIA, UNITED STATES
- UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA — PHILADELPHIA, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: FELDSER, DAVID — UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA
- Study coordinator: FELDSER, DAVID
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.