How the ARID1A gene and protein-making process affect bladder cancer

Transcriptional-translational conflict in bladder epithelial homeostasis and cancer

NIH-funded research Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center · NIH-11237131

Researchers are looking at how the ARID1A gene and the cell's protein-making machinery change bladder cells and could point to better treatments for people with bladder cancer.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionFred Hutchinson Cancer Center NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Seattle, United States)
Project IDNIH-11237131 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This project studies how loss of the ARID1A gene changes gene activity and the cell's ability to make proteins in bladder cells. Scientists use lab-grown human cells and mouse models that lack ARID1A to see how these changes can either prevent or enable tumor growth. They can turn the protein-making process (translation elongation) up or down to observe effects, and they test drugs that block that process. The goal is to find whether targeting protein synthesis can stop ARID1A-deficient bladder tumors from progressing.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates are people with bladder cancer whose tumors have lost or mutated the ARID1A gene, often identified by tumor genetic testing.

Not a fit: People without bladder cancer or whose tumors do not have ARID1A loss are unlikely to benefit directly from this specific line of research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this work could identify a druggable weakness in some bladder cancers and lead to treatments that block tumor growth in patients whose tumors lack ARID1A.

How similar studies have performed: Preclinical studies, including the investigators' own lab work, suggest blocking translation elongation can harm ARID1A-deficient tumors, but clinical proof in patients is not yet established.

Where this research is happening

Seattle, 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 Bladder CancerCancer InductionCancer PatientCancers
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.