Identifying resistant tumor cells in children's liver cancers
Official title: Discovery of chemoresistant tumor subclones in pediatric liver cancers
Funded at Baylor College of Medicine · NIH-11001461 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at why some liver cancers in kids don’t get better with chemotherapy, and by examining tumor samples, the researchers hope to find ways to spot these stubborn cancer cells early and create tailored treatments to help kids fight their cancer more effectively.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Baylor College of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project start | December 15, 2023 |
| Project end | November 30, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $187,567 |
| NIH project number | 5R21CA286257-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11001461 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are children under 11 years old diagnosed with high-risk liver cancers.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with liver cancers that are not classified as high-risk or those who are older than 11 years may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding why some pediatric liver cancers, such as hepatoblastoma and hepatocellular carcinoma, do not respond to chemotherapy. By studying tumor samples from children, the researchers aim to identify specific cancer cells that resist treatment. They will develop new technologies to detect these resistant cells early and create personalized treatment plans that target them effectively. This approach hopes to improve survival rates for children with high-risk liver cancers.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective treatments for children with liver cancer, potentially increasing their chances of survival.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in targeting chemoresistant cancer cells, indicating that this approach could lead to significant advancements in treatment.
Where this research is happening
-
Baylor College of Medicine
Houston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sumazin, Pavel — Baylor College of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Sumazin, Pavel
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.