How the p53 protein controls cancer cell metabolism
p53-mediated metabolic regulation in tumor suppression
This work explores how the p53 protein changes cancer cell metabolism to find new ways to slow tumor growth in people with cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Columbia University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11146622 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will map the metabolic programs controlled by p53 and identify specific metabolic targets that make cancer cells vulnerable. Experiments will use cell models and preclinical tumor models to test whether activating p53-related metabolic pathways can shrink tumors without harming normal tissue. The team will build on preliminary findings that certain metabolic interventions can trigger p53’s tumor-suppressing effects. The goal is to find metabolic approaches that could be developed into safer anti-cancer therapies.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Patients whose tumors have p53 pathway defects or mutations (common in many cancers) would be the most likely future candidates for therapies arising from this work.
Not a fit: People whose cancers do not involve p53 dysfunction or whose disease is driven by unrelated mechanisms may not benefit from p53-targeted metabolic approaches.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new treatments that harness p53-related metabolism to shrink tumors with fewer side effects on normal tissues.
How similar studies have performed: Prior laboratory studies, including the investigator's preliminary data, show that targeting p53-related metabolic pathways can slow tumor growth, but translating these findings into safe human treatments remains unproven.
Where this research is happening
New York, United States
- Columbia University Health Sciences — New York, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gu, Wei — Columbia University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Gu, Wei
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.