Improving Lung Cancer Treatment When Drugs Stop Working
c-Myc modulation and its implications in EGFR-targeted cancer therapy
This research explores new ways to help patients with non-small cell lung cancer when their current treatments, like AZD9291, become less effective.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Emory University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Atlanta, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11095894 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Many patients with non-small cell lung cancer benefit greatly from targeted therapies, such as AZD9291, which specifically attack cancer cells with certain genetic changes. However, over time, these cancer cells often find ways to resist the treatment, causing the disease to progress again. Our project aims to understand why this resistance happens, focusing on a protein called c-Myc, which plays a key role in cancer cell growth. By understanding how c-Myc helps cancer cells resist treatment, we hope to find new strategies to make existing drugs work longer or develop entirely new therapies. The ultimate goal is to help patients continue to benefit from their cancer treatments for an extended period.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This research is relevant for patients with non-small cell lung cancer, especially those whose cancer has developed resistance to EGFR-targeted therapies like AZD9291.
Not a fit: Patients without non-small cell lung cancer or those whose cancer has not developed resistance to EGFR-targeted therapies may not directly benefit from this specific research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new treatments or combinations that help non-small cell lung cancer patients overcome drug resistance and extend the effectiveness of their therapy.
How similar studies have performed: While EGFR-targeted therapies have shown initial success, research into overcoming resistance mechanisms like c-Myc modulation is an active and evolving area of investigation.
Where this research is happening
Atlanta, United States
- Emory University — Atlanta, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sun, Shi-Yong — Emory University
- Study coordinator: Sun, Shi-Yong
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.