How lung cancer cells change and adapt
Investigating the cell intrinsic and extrinsic mechanisms governing lung cancer cell plasticity
This work uses advanced CRISPR tools in mice to trace how lung adenocarcinoma cells change over time to learn ways to better treat people with lung cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Columbia University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11177645 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will use a CRISPR/Cas9 "evolving lineage tracer" together with single-cell analysis to record both the ancestry and gene activity of individual lung tumor cells in a mouse model that mimics human lung adenocarcinoma. They will reconstruct tumor evolution to map when and how cancer cells switch states and become more aggressive. The team will probe candidate gene networks and environmental signals to separate changes that are cell-intrinsic from those driven by the tumor microenvironment. Results are intended to point to molecular targets to prevent progression or therapy resistance.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Although the project uses mouse models, people with lung adenocarcinoma could be future candidates for therapies that emerge or for related sample-donation or clinical follow-up studies.
Not a fit: Patients needing immediate clinical treatment or people without lung cancer are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this laboratory-focused research in the near term.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal targets or strategies to stop tumor cells from becoming more aggressive or resistant to treatment.
How similar studies have performed: Related lineage-tracing and single-cell studies in animal models have improved understanding of tumor evolution, but translating those insights into human therapies remains largely unproven.
Where this research is happening
New York, United States
- Columbia University Health Sciences — New York, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Yang, Dian — Columbia University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Yang, Dian
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.