How NEUROD1 shapes small cell lung cancer behavior
Official title: NEUROD1 function in SCLC fate and plasticity
Funded at Duke University · NIH-11294337 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at how the protein NEUROD1 changes small cell lung cancer cells and whether that points to new treatment options for people with SCLC.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Duke University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Durham, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2024 |
| Project end | March 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $535,073 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA262134-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11294337 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with small cell lung cancer—especially those whose tumors show NEUROD1 expression or MYC-driven features—would be the most relevant candidates for related clinical efforts.
✕Less likely to help
People without SCLC or with tumors of unrelated molecular subtypes may not directly benefit from the results.
What this research studies
From a patient's perspective, researchers will examine how NEUROD1 drives a neuronal-like state and subtype switching in small cell lung cancer cells. They will use lab-grown cell lines, animal models, and analysis of tumor samples to map the pathways linked to NEUROD1 and MYC-related changes. The team will test how these changes affect sensitivity to existing drugs and potential targeted approaches. Findings could help identify biomarkers to sort patients into different treatment groups or suggest new drug targets.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: This work could identify biomarkers or drug targets that help overcome treatment resistance and guide more personalized therapies for SCLC.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have found subtype-specific vulnerabilities in SCLC (for example in MYC-driven tumors), but NEUROD1-focused work is less developed and is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Duke University
Durham, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Oliver, Trudy Gale — Duke University
- Study coordinator: Oliver, Trudy Gale
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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.