How some cancers rewire their metabolism to keep growing
Project 2: Systemic Understanding of Cellular Mechanisms of Metabolic Adaptations in Cancer
Researchers are mapping how tumors change their energy and mitochondrial machinery so this could point to new treatment targets for people with metabolic-driven cancers.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11174521 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a patient's perspective, the team is using lab models of tumors that lose a key enzyme (SDH) to see how cancer cells adapt their metabolism over time. They focus on changes in mitochondrial complex I and track proteins, genes, and other molecular signals using multi-omics measurements. The work combines lab experiments with computational analyses to find the metabolic shifts that let cancer cells survive and divide. The goal is to reveal specific metabolic weaknesses that new drugs might one day target.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with advanced cancers, especially tumors known to have SDH (succinate dehydrogenase) loss or related metabolic alterations, would be the most relevant candidates for future trials based on this research.
Not a fit: Patients whose tumors do not show SDH-related or mitochondrial metabolic changes, or those seeking immediate clinical therapy, are less likely to benefit directly from this basic laboratory research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could identify metabolic vulnerabilities that lead to new targeted treatments for cancers with SDH loss or similar metabolic adaptations.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has found metabolic vulnerabilities in some cancers, but the specific focus on complex I adaptations in SDH-deficient tumors is relatively new and less tested.
Where this research is happening
Seattle, United States
- Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center — Seattle, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sullivan, Lucas Bryan — Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center
- Study coordinator: Sullivan, Lucas Bryan
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.