How radiation changes tumor gene activity over time

Project 2: Transcriptional Dynamics and Temporal Reprogramming During Radiation Treatment

NIH-funded research Cleveland Clinic Lerner Com-Cwru · NIH-11135454

The team is looking at how radiation changes gene activity in tumors to help make radiation treatment more personalized for cancer patients.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionCleveland Clinic Lerner Com-Cwru NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Cleveland, United States)
Project IDNIH-11135454 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

If you're receiving radiation for cancer, this project will track how tumor cells and surrounding tissue change their gene activity before, during, and after radiation. Researchers will use high-throughput sequencing and molecular profiling on tumor biopsies and blood samples collected at multiple time points to map these transcriptional shifts. They will compare those patterns to treatment outcomes to find molecular signatures or timing windows that predict response or side effects. The hope is to use those signatures to guide when and how radiation is given or combined with other cancer drugs.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates are people with solid tumors who are planning to receive radiation therapy and can provide tumor or blood samples at specified times.

Not a fit: Patients whose cancers are not treated with radiation, who cannot undergo biopsies, or who cannot provide samples during treatment are unlikely to benefit directly.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: Could help doctors pick the best timing and combinations of radiation and other treatments for your tumor, improving cure rates and reducing side effects.

How similar studies have performed: Large efforts like TCGA have mapped tumor genomes and smaller clinical studies have linked some molecular signatures to radiation response, but detailed tracking of gene activity over the whole course of treatment is relatively new and still being tested.

Where this research is happening

Cleveland, 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.
Conditions Anti-Cancer Agents
Last reviewed 2026-06-15 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.