Improving radiation response in rectal cancer by targeting low-oxygen tumor areas
Official title: Tumor-Selective Radiosensitization by Targeting Hypoxia in Rectal Cancer
Funded at Beckman Research Institute/city of Hope · NIH-11267984 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Using an approved drug that lowers tumor oxygen use alongside radiation to help shrink rectal tumors in people with locally advanced rectal cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Beckman Research Institute/city of Hope NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Duarte, United States) |
| Project start | February 1, 2025 |
| Project end | January 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $642,969 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA297752-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11267984 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with locally advanced rectal adenocarcinoma who are scheduled for total neoadjuvant therapy (preoperative chemotherapy and radiation) are the ideal candidates.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with early-stage disease, widespread metastatic cancer, or those unable to tolerate the study drug or radiation are unlikely to benefit from this approach.
What this research studies
If you have locally advanced rectal cancer and are getting pre-surgery chemotherapy and radiation (total neoadjuvant therapy), this project looks at adding a drug that reduces tumor oxygen use to make radiation more effective. Tumor areas with low oxygen (hypoxia) can resist radiation, and the team will give the FDA-approved drug papaverine during radiation to block tumor mitochondrial oxygen consumption and try to sensitize tumors. Researchers will follow response with imaging, endoscopy, and tissue samples and will study tumor biology to see who benefits and why. The aim is to increase complete responses so more people might avoid major surgery and its long-term consequences.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, more patients could have their tumors fully controlled before surgery and avoid major rectal surgery and its lasting side effects.
How similar studies have gone: Preclinical data support that blocking mitochondrial oxygen use (for example with papaverine) can sensitize tumors to radiation, but translating this approach to rectal cancer patients is largely new.
Where this research is happening
-
Beckman Research Institute/city of Hope
Duarte, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Williams, Terence Marques — Beckman Research Institute/city of Hope
- Study coordinator: Williams, Terence Marques
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Improving radiation treatment for rectal cancer by targeting low oxygen levels in tumors
This study is looking at how a special FDA-approved drug can help make radiation therapy work better for people with locally advanced rectal cancer by improving oxygen levels in tumors, with the hope that more patients can avoid surgery or have better results.
-
Using MRI to measure brain oxygen levels as an early sign of small vessel disease in the brain
This study is looking at how measuring oxygen levels in the brain with MRI can help spot early signs of small vessel disease, which is linked to memory problems and dementia, especially Alzheimer's, so if you're at risk due to age or high blood pressure, you might be able to participate in MRI scans to learn more about
-
HIF-driven ways to repair damaged lungs in IPF
A doctor-researcher is testing how low-oxygen signals (HIF) could help restore healthy lung tissue in people with IPF.
-
Neonatal Brain Injury Protection with New Purine Compounds
A new medication approach using purine derivatives is being studied to protect newborn brains from injury caused by limited blood flow and oxygen during birth.
-
Aldo-keto reductase (AKR) helps brain BH4 levels after injury
This grant tests whether brain AKR enzymes can boost BH4 levels and support better brain function after hypoxia-ischemia-related injury.
-
Dual-hypoxia and proliferation PET biomarker for recurrent glioblastoma
A study using a special PET imaging approach to map oxygen-poor areas and cell growth in recurrent brain tumors to guide treatment decisions.
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.