How low oxygen in tumors makes radiation less effective in esophageal and lung cancers
Official title: Tumor hypoxia promotes acquired resistance to radiation through ferroptosis inhibition
Funded at University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr · NIH-11395548 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This grant explores how low oxygen in tumors may help cancer cells resist radiation therapy, by studying a key cell-death pathway called ferroptosis and related genes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project start | September 20, 2022 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $301,681 |
| NIH project number | 5U54CA274220-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11395548 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with esophageal or lung cancers, especially those whose tumors have low oxygen levels or show resistance to radiation.
✕Less likely to help
Patients whose tumors do not rely on ferroptosis pathways or do not exhibit hypoxia-related resistance may not benefit.
What this research studies
Researchers will study esophageal and lung cancer cells under different oxygen levels to see how ferroptosis access changes radiation sensitivity. They will use cancer cell lines engineered to alter SLC7A11 and ATF4, important players in ferroptosis, to understand how hypoxia affects treatment response. The project aims to connect tumor oxygen levels, gene activity, and the effectiveness of chemoradiation, contributing to the larger ARTI Center work. The findings could point to new strategies to overcome resistance and improve patient outcomes in tough-to-treat cancers.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could lead to approaches that make radiation therapy more effective for patients with hypoxic tumors.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work in ferroptosis and hypoxia has shown promising directions, but translating to therapy remains an active area with ongoing validation.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr
Houston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Koong, Albert — University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr
- Study coordinator: Koong, Albert
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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.