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

NIH-funded research Vala Sciences, INC. · NIH-11142334

This study is looking at how some cancer treatments might hurt the heart, and it's for anyone interested in making cancer therapies safer by using lab-grown heart cells to see how these drugs affect heart function.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionVala Sciences, INC. NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (San Diego, United States)
Project IDNIH-11142334 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 cancer drugs on heart function. The approach allows researchers to observe how these drugs impact 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 include cancer survivors who have experienced heart issues related to their treatment.

Not a fit: Patients who have not undergone cancer treatment or do not have any heart-related complications 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-related side effects for patients.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promise in using iPSC-derived cardiomyocytes to study drug effects, indicating a potential for success in this novel approach.

Where this research is happening

San Diego, 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.