Imaging mitochondria in treatment-resistant lung cancer
In vivo imaging of mitochondria structure and function in therapy resistant lung tumors
['FUNDING_R01'] · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES · NIH-11211304
This project tests a new PET scan tracer and metabolic treatments for people whose non‑small cell lung cancer no longer responds to standard therapies.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (LOS ANGELES, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11211304 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
Researchers plan to use a new PET tracer called 18F-BnTP to visualize mitochondrial structure and activity inside lung tumors that resist treatment. They will group tumors by their metabolic signatures, with emphasis on cancers carrying KRAS/LKB1 or EGFR mutations. The team will combine imaging with laboratory and animal experiments and aim to translate promising findings into human imaging and metabolic treatment approaches. The work focuses on finding mitochondrial weaknesses that could be targeted when targeted drugs or immunotherapy stop working.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are people with advanced or metastatic non‑small cell lung cancer that has become resistant to targeted therapy or immunotherapy, especially those with KRAS/LKB1 or EGFR mutations.
Not a fit: People with early‑stage lung cancer, different tumor types, or tumors that depend mainly on non‑mitochondrial metabolism may be unlikely to benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could help doctors detect and target therapy‑resistant lung tumors by their mitochondrial activity and enable more personalized metabolic treatments.
How similar studies have performed: Standard FDG‑PET is widely used for lung cancer imaging, but mitochondrial‑targeted tracers and metabolic therapies like 18F-BnTP are novel and largely experimental with only preliminary supporting data.
Where this research is happening
LOS ANGELES, UNITED STATES
- UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES — LOS ANGELES, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: SHACKELFORD, DAVID B — UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES
- Study coordinator: SHACKELFORD, DAVID B
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.