NIH-funded research U01 cooperative agreement

Investigating how a protein-recycling complex affects treatment resistance in small cell lung cancer.

Official title: Understanding the molecular mechanism of a protein-recycling complex in small cell lung cancer treatment resistance.

Funded at University Health Network · NIH-10684226 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is looking into why some people with small cell lung cancer stop responding to treatments that initially worked well for them, and it's trying to find new ways to improve those treatments by understanding the underlying causes of this resistance.

More Lung Cancer research and trials

Quick facts

Grant typeU01 cooperative agreement
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity Health Network
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Toronto, Canada)
Project startSeptember 25, 2020
Project endAugust 31, 2026
Funding year2024
Award (this year)$276,338
NIH project number5U01CA253383-04
Project IDNIH-10684226 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with small cell lung cancer, particularly those who have experienced treatment resistance.

Less likely to help

Patients with small cell lung cancer who have not undergone treatment or those with non-small cell lung cancer may not benefit from this research.

What this research studies

This research focuses on understanding why small cell lung cancer (SCLC) patients often experience treatment resistance after initially responding well to therapies. The team is exploring the molecular mechanisms behind this resistance, particularly looking at the role of specific proteins and genetic factors. By using advanced techniques like CRISPR to identify resistance mechanisms, the researchers aim to find new therapeutic targets that could improve treatment outcomes for patients. The ultimate goal is to develop novel therapies that can overcome resistance and enhance the effectiveness of existing treatments.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective treatments for small cell lung cancer, potentially improving survival rates and quality of life for patients.

How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promising results in understanding treatment resistance mechanisms in various cancers, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.

Where this research is happening

  • University Health Network
    Toronto, Canada
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Lok, Benjamin H — University Health Network
  • Study coordinator: Lok, Benjamin H

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

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.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 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.