Investigating heart damage caused by cancer treatments using lab-grown heart cells.
Combined Cardiomyopathy, e.g., of Cancer Chemotherapeutics, and Proarrhythmia for Cardiotoxicity Clinical Trials-in-a-Dish (CTiD) with iPSC-Derived Cardiomyocytes
This study is looking at how some cancer treatments might harm the heart, using special heart cells grown in the lab to see how chemotherapy affects them, which could help make cancer treatments safer for patients like you.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Vala Sciences, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Diego, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10898541 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding how certain cancer treatments can lead to heart damage, known as cardiotoxicity. By using lab-grown heart cells derived from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), the study aims to simulate and measure the effects of chemotherapy on heart function. The approach allows researchers to observe how these treatments affect heart cell behavior, including electrical activity and calcium handling, without relying on animal models. This could lead to safer cancer therapies by identifying harmful effects early in the drug development process.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are cancer patients who are receiving or have received chemotherapy and are at risk of developing heart-related side effects.
Not a fit: Patients who have not undergone cancer treatment or those with pre-existing heart conditions unrelated to cancer therapies may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to the development of safer cancer treatments that minimize heart damage for patients undergoing chemotherapy.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promise in using lab-grown cells to study drug effects, indicating that this approach could yield valuable insights into cardiotoxicity.
Where this research is happening
San Diego, United States
- Vala Sciences, INC. — San Diego, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Price, Jeffrey H. — Vala Sciences, INC.
- Study coordinator: Price, Jeffrey H.
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 below.