Intracellular pH and Cancer Cell Behavior
Official title: Increased Intracellular pH Promotes Cancer Cell Behaviors
Funded at San Jose State University · NIH-11359687 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A cancer-focused project looks at how higher inside-the-cell acidity (pHi) may drive cancer traits by changing key proteins and cell death pathways.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | San Jose State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Jose, United States) |
| Project start | June 13, 2024 |
| Project end | May 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $146,500 |
| NIH project number | 5R16GM153640-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11359687 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Not applicable to direct patient participation in this grant; basic mechanistic research using model systems.
✕Less likely to help
Direct patient participation is not part of this grant.
What this research studies
Researchers at San Jose State University will study how increased intracellular pH affects cancer-related processes, focusing on the proto-oncogene Myc and autophagic cell death in fruit-fly models. They will identify which parts of Myc respond to pH changes and how pHi alters Myc’s activity and gene regulation. The study also explores whether higher pHi modulates autophagy and how these changes might promote tumor-like behaviors. This work aims to uncover fundamental links between cellular pH and cancer biology that could point to new therapeutic targets.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Discoveries could reveal new targets to slow or stop cancer progression by modulating cellular pH and related pathways.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work suggests pH changes influence cancer-related pathways, but direct links to Myc regulation under increased pHi are being explored.
Where this research is happening
-
San Jose State University
San Jose, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Grillo-Hill, Bree K. — San Jose State University
- Study coordinator: Grillo-Hill, Bree K.
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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.