How the body's daily clock affects lung cancer
Disruption of the circadian clock in lung cancer
This research looks at whether breakdown of the body's daily 'clock' in lung cells makes non-small cell lung cancer more aggressive, especially when the clock gene BMAL1 is low or MYC is high.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Rochester NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Rochester, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11304496 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a patient's point of view, researchers are studying tumor samples and lab models to see how loss of the circadian clock gene BMAL1 changes lung cell behavior and speeds up non‑small cell lung cancer. They will combine analysis of human tumor tissue with experiments in cells and mice to map the molecular steps that let cancer bypass normal daily rhythms. The team is particularly focused on how MYC gene amplification might turn off BMAL1 and disrupt the clock. Understanding these steps could point to ways to keep lung cells behaving more normally or to target the weakness caused by clock loss.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults with non‑small cell lung cancer, especially those willing to provide tumor tissue or whose tumors show MYC amplification or low BMAL1, would be most relevant to this work.
Not a fit: People without non‑small cell lung cancer or whose tumors are not driven by MYC/clock disruption are unlikely to benefit directly from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could identify new targets or strategies to slow aggressive non‑small cell lung cancers by restoring or counteracting circadian clock disruptions.
How similar studies have performed: Preliminary human data and mouse studies link BMAL1 loss to worse lung cancer, but translating clock‑based findings into clinical treatments is still new and largely untested.
Where this research is happening
Rochester, United States
- University of Rochester — Rochester, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Altman, Brian James — University of Rochester
- Study coordinator: Altman, Brian James
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.