Investigating how a specific protein drives liver cancer in response to metabolic stress
Official title: Project 2: The UPR transducer ATF6 drives HCC in response to metabolic stress
Funded at Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute · NIH-10935866 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a protein called ATF6 might play a role in liver cancer, especially when liver cells are stressed and have too many misfolded proteins, and it aims to find out how this process works and what we can do about it.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P01 program project |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, United States) |
| Project start | September 9, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $681,823 |
| NIH project number | 1P01CA281819-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10935866 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with hepatocellular carcinoma or those at high risk due to metabolic conditions like non-alcoholic steatohepatitis.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with liver cancer caused by factors unrelated to metabolic stress or those with other types of cancer may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding the role of the ATF6 protein in the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the most common type of liver cancer. It examines how metabolic stress leads to the accumulation of misfolded proteins in liver cells, activating a cellular response that may promote cancer growth. By analyzing human liver cancer samples and using mouse models, the researchers aim to uncover the mechanisms by which ATF6 contributes to HCC and explore potential interventions. The study will utilize advanced techniques like digital spatial profiling and next-generation sequencing to gain insights into the disease.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new therapeutic strategies for treating liver cancer by targeting the mechanisms driven by ATF6.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the role of metabolic stress in cancer development, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute
La Jolla, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kaufman, Randal J. — Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute
- Study coordinator: Kaufman, Randal J.
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.