Improving Treatment of Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer with New Therapies and Early Response Checks
Official title: ImpACT: Improving Treatment Strategies for Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer Through Integration of Novel Therapies and Assessment of Tumor Response
Funded at University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr · NIH-11420945 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This NIH grant aims to advance treatment for a rare, aggressive thyroid cancer by testing new approaches and measuring how tumors respond early in treatment to tailor care.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P01 program project |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project start | September 18, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $2,709,149 |
| NIH project number | 1P01CA314921-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11420945 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with anaplastic thyroid cancer who are candidates for targeted therapies, immunotherapy, or radiotherapy.
✕Less likely to help
Patients whose cancer does not respond to the studied approaches or who cannot tolerate the therapies studied.
What this research studies
ATC is an aggressive thyroid cancer with high mortality, and current dosing often relies on general rules rather than patient-specific factors. The program brings four integrated projects to uncover drug resistance pathways, find immune targets for cell-based therapies, and test advanced metabolic imaging to detect early treatment responses. Researchers will combine molecular studies, immunology, and cutting-edge imaging to guide personalized treatment adjustments. If successful, these efforts could lead to faster, more effective options for people facing ATC.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could lead to more precise therapies and quicker adjustments to treatment for ATC patients.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work in related cancers shows promise for targeted therapies and immunotherapies, with this project extending those concepts to ATC.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr
Houston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lai, Stephen Y — University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr
- Study coordinator: Lai, Stephen Y
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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.