How the skin tumor environment drives basal cell carcinoma growth and resistance
Official title: Stromal Regulation of Basal Cell Carcinoma Formation
Funded at Stanford University · NIH-11307134 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Testing ways to stop basal cell skin cancers from changing into more treatment‑resistant forms by targeting the tumor environment and key gene switches for people with BCC.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Stanford University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Stanford, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2001 |
| Project end | March 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $481,540 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AR046786-25 |
| Project ID | NIH-11307134 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with basal cell carcinoma, especially those with recurrent, advanced, or treatment‑resistant tumors, would be the most likely candidates to benefit or to donate samples for this work.
✕Less likely to help
People without basal cell skin cancer or whose tumors are fully removed by routine treatment are unlikely to gain direct benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research looks at why basal cell skin cancers sometimes change into tougher, treatment‑resistant versions and which surrounding cells help them do that. Researchers will map cancer cell states and the gene switches (like AP‑1/SRF and c‑FOS) that allow tumors to shift their behavior. They will also study tumor‑associated immune cells called skin cancer‑associated macrophages (SCAMs) that support tumor growth. Lab models, organoids, and transplant experiments will be used to test which pathways can be blocked or reversed.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could lead to therapies that prevent or reverse resistance in basal cell carcinoma, improving control and outcomes for patients.
How similar studies have gone: Previous laboratory and transplant studies have suggested that macrophages and transcriptional switches can drive resistance, but translating these findings into patient therapies remains largely unproved.
Where this research is happening
-
Stanford University
Stanford, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Oro, Anthony E — Stanford University
- Study coordinator: Oro, Anthony E
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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.