NIH-funded research U01 cooperative agreement

Identifying why small cell lung cancer becomes resistant to chemotherapy

Official title: Genomic and Functional Identification of Chemotherapy Resistance Mechanisms in Small Cell Lung Cancer

Funded at Washington University · NIH-10465193 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is looking into why small cell lung cancer often doesn't respond to chemotherapy, hoping to find new ways to treat it better for patients who are facing this tough disease.

More Lung Cancer research and trials

Quick facts

Grant typeU01 cooperative agreement
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionWashington University
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Saint Louis, United States)
Project startSeptember 1, 2018
Project endAugust 31, 2025
Funding year2022
Award (this year)$567,348
NIH project number5U01CA231844-05
Project IDNIH-10465193 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with small cell lung cancer who have experienced a relapse after initial chemotherapy treatment.

Less likely to help

Patients with other types of lung cancer or those who have not undergone chemotherapy may not benefit from this research.

What this research studies

This research investigates the mechanisms behind chemotherapy resistance in small cell lung cancer (SCLC), a type of lung cancer with a very low survival rate. By analyzing genetic changes in tumor samples from patients who have relapsed after treatment, the study aims to uncover new therapeutic targets. Additionally, a novel mouse model that mimics human SCLC will be used to test potential treatments and understand how the cancer develops resistance. This approach could lead to more effective therapies for patients suffering from this aggressive cancer.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to the development of new treatments that improve survival rates for patients with small cell lung cancer.

How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in identifying resistance mechanisms in other cancers, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights for small cell lung cancer as well.

Where this research is happening

  • Washington University
    Saint Louis, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Govindan, Ramaswamy — Washington University
  • Study coordinator: Govindan, Ramaswamy

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

  • Stopping chemotherapy from weakening immunotherapy in non-small cell lung cancer

    This project looks at whether common chemotherapy makes lung tumors release substances that turn off immune cells and whether blocking that process could help immunotherapy work better for people with non-small cell lung cancer.

    NIH research University of Louisville · Louisville, United States · NIH-11307067

  • Understanding how chemotherapy affects immune response in lung cancer treatment

    This study is looking at how the chemotherapy drug cisplatin affects the immune system in people with non-small cell lung cancer, to find out how it might make immunotherapy less effective, and to discover better ways to boost treatment options for patients like you.

    NIH research University of Louisville · Louisville, United States · NIH-11055285

  • ABL kinase signaling and DNA collisions in small cell lung cancer

    A drug target study in small cell lung cancer explores how blocking ABL kinase affects conflicts between transcription and DNA replication, which could influence tumor growth and survival.

    NIH research Duke University · Durham, United States · NIH-11460190

  • XRN1 as a potential therapy target in lung cancer

    A scientist-led program will study a cellular gene called XRN1 to see if turning it off can help treat non-small cell lung cancer.

    NIH research Ut Southwestern Medical Center · Dallas, United States · NIH-11457022

  • Intermittent fasting with PD-1 inhibitors for non-small cell lung cancer

    This grant tests whether a fasting-mimicking diet can boost the effectiveness of PD-1 inhibitors for people with non-small cell lung cancer.

    NIH research Rlr VA Medical Center · Indianapolis, United States · NIH-11456786

  • Targeting STRAP to curb NSCLC spread with nanoparticle therapy

    Aimed at non-small cell lung cancer, this grant tests how blocking a protein called STRAP with nanoparticles could slow cancer spread and make chemotherapy work better.

    NIH research University of Alabama at Birmingham · Birmingham, United States · NIH-11447387

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.