Improving radiation therapy for advanced cancers using targeted treatments
Official title: Molecularly Targeted Radiosensitization of Locally Advanced Cancers
Funded at University of Michigan at Ann Arbor · NIH-10917021 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at ways to make radiation therapy work better for people with hard-to-treat cancers by pairing it with other treatments that target the cancer's specific features, and it aims to find out how to overcome challenges that make radiation less effective.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Michigan at Ann Arbor NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Ann Arbor, United States) |
| Project start | August 14, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $1,946,064 |
| NIH project number | 5P50CA269022-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10917021 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients with locally advanced or unresectable cancers who are not eligible for initial surgery.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with early-stage cancers or those who can undergo surgical intervention may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how to enhance the effectiveness of radiation therapy for patients with locally advanced or unresectable cancers by combining it with systemic therapies that target specific molecular drivers of these cancers. The approach involves conducting preclinical studies to understand the mechanisms behind radiation resistance and to identify ways to overcome it. The ultimate goal is to develop pilot clinical trials that will lead to larger phase II trials, assessing the treatment's effectiveness and safety for patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective treatment options for patients with advanced cancers, potentially improving survival rates and quality of life.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in combining targeted therapies with radiation, suggesting that this approach could lead to significant advancements in cancer treatment.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lawrence, Theodore S — University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
- Study coordinator: Lawrence, Theodore S
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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.