How metabolism controls aggressive lung cancer cells

Metabolic control of malignant fates in lung cancer

NIH-funded research Sloan-Kettering Inst Can Research · NIH-11238515

Researchers are changing cancer cell metabolism to try to make lung adenocarcinoma cells less aggressive and easier to treat for people with lung adenocarcinoma.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionSloan-Kettering Inst Can Research NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (New York, United States)
Project IDNIH-11238515 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This work uses lab-grown tumor cells from people and mice to change how cancer cells use a key energy pathway called the TCA cycle. By shifting the pathway into different configurations, researchers aim to push cancer cells into more normal, less aggressive states or into the opposite state to see what supports spread and treatment resistance. Experiments will include human-derived cell lines and mouse models and will manipulate specific metabolic enzymes to track effects on cell behavior. The focus is on understanding metabolic drivers of malignant states rather than testing a drug in patients right now.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Adults diagnosed with lung adenocarcinoma, especially those able to provide tumor samples from surgery or biopsy for research, would be most relevant to this work.

Not a fit: People with other types of lung cancer or those seeking immediate treatment changes should not expect direct personal benefit from these lab-focused experiments.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could point to metabolic targets that lead to new treatments reducing relapse and resistance in lung adenocarcinoma.

How similar studies have performed: Prior laboratory studies show that changing cancer metabolism can alter tumor behavior, but targeting non-canonical TCA configurations in lung adenocarcinoma is a newer approach with limited clinical testing so far.

Where this research is happening

New York, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.