Investigating how a specific enzyme affects heart damage from cancer treatment
Neutral sphingomyelinase-2 as a mediator of Doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity
This study is looking at how a specific enzyme in the heart might cause damage when patients receive the cancer drug doxorubicin, and it aims to find out if blocking this enzyme can help protect the heart without making the cancer treatment less effective.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | State University New York Stony Brook NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Stony Brook, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11011465 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding how the enzyme neutral sphingomyelinase-2 (nSMase2) contributes to heart damage caused by the cancer drug doxorubicin. The study aims to explore the role of nSMase2 in the heart's response to chemotherapy and whether inhibiting this enzyme can protect against heart-related side effects without reducing the drug's effectiveness against cancer. By examining the relationship between nSMase2 and heart function, the researchers hope to develop new strategies to improve patient outcomes during cancer treatment.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are cancer patients receiving doxorubicin treatment, particularly those at risk of heart complications.
Not a fit: Patients who are not receiving doxorubicin or those with pre-existing severe heart conditions may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new protective strategies for patients undergoing chemotherapy, reducing heart damage while maintaining cancer treatment efficacy.
How similar studies have performed: While there has been some success in targeting other pathways to mitigate chemotherapy side effects, the specific approach of targeting nSMase2 for cardioprotection is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested.
Where this research is happening
Stony Brook, United States
- State University New York Stony Brook — Stony Brook, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Clarke, Christopher James — State University New York Stony Brook
- Study coordinator: Clarke, Christopher James
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.