Identifying drug targets to eliminate cancer persister cells
Official title: Elucidate the landscape of druggable targets for eliminating cancer persister cells
Funded at University of California, San Francisco · NIH-11107543 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how some stubborn cancer cells manage to survive treatment and cause tumors to come back, with the goal of finding new ways to target and eliminate these cells, which could help people with a specific type of lung cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Francisco NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2025 |
| Project end | March 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $680,507 |
| NIH project number | 1R01CA300245-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11107543 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients with KRAS-mutant non-small cell lung cancer who are undergoing targeted therapy.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with other types of cancer or those who do not have KRAS mutations may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how certain cancer cells, known as persister cells, survive treatment and contribute to tumor recurrence. By understanding the signals that allow these cells to persist, the study aims to identify drug targets that can effectively eliminate them. The approach includes using advanced techniques to analyze cancer cell behavior and employing artificial intelligence to generate new treatment hypotheses. This could lead to more effective therapies for patients with KRAS-mutant non-small cell lung cancer.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more durable cancer treatments that prevent tumor recurrence.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in targeting persister cells, but this approach aims to provide novel insights and tools for treatment.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Francisco
San Francisco, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Altschuler, Steven J — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Altschuler, Steven J
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.