Investigating a new target to improve chemotherapy effectiveness in bladder cancer

NPEPPS is a novel and druggable determinant of chemotherapy resistance in bladder cancer

NIH-funded research Cedars-Sinai Medical Center · NIH-10891522

This study is looking at how to make chemotherapy work better for people with muscle-invasive bladder cancer by using a special tool to target a protein that affects how cancer cells react to treatment, with the hope of improving survival for those who struggle with current therapies.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionCedars-Sinai Medical Center NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Los Angeles, United States)
Project IDNIH-10891522 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on enhancing the effectiveness of Cisplatin-based neoadjuvant chemotherapy for patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer. By utilizing advanced CRISPR-Cas9 technology, the study aims to identify and target a specific protein, NPEPPS, which has been found to influence how bladder cancer cells respond to chemotherapy. The researchers will explore how manipulating NPEPPS can improve treatment outcomes, potentially leading to better survival rates for patients who currently do not respond well to standard therapies.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with muscle-invasive bladder cancer who are scheduled to receive Cisplatin-based chemotherapy.

Not a fit: Patients with non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer or those who are not receiving Cisplatin-based chemotherapy may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve survival rates for bladder cancer patients who are resistant to current chemotherapy treatments.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promising results using CRISPR technology to identify targets for improving chemotherapy responses, indicating that this approach has potential for success.

Where this research is happening

Los Angeles, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions Anti-Cancer Agents
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.