Investigating how cancer cells manage damaged mitochondria
Official title: Secretory Mitophagy in Cancer Metabolic Reprogramming
Funded at George Mason University · NIH-10886109 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how cancer cells manage to stay alive by getting rid of damaged parts inside them, especially when they face tough treatments like immunotherapy and radiotherapy, and it hopes to find new ways to make these cells more vulnerable to treatment.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | George Mason University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Fairfax, United States) |
| Project start | July 11, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $167,876 |
| NIH project number | 5R21CA284201-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10886109 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with breast cancer who are undergoing or have undergone treatments that induce oxidative stress.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with non-cancerous conditions or those not affected by mitochondrial dysfunction may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research explores a process called secretory mitophagy, which helps cancer cells survive by removing damaged mitochondria. By studying how these cells adapt their metabolism in response to stress from treatments like immunotherapy and radiotherapy, the researchers aim to understand how cancer cells maintain their viability. The approach involves analyzing extracellular vesicles in tumor interstitial fluid to gather insights into mitochondrial health within tumors. This could lead to new strategies for targeting cancer cell survival mechanisms.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to innovative treatments that improve the effectiveness of cancer therapies by targeting the survival mechanisms of cancer cells.
How similar studies have gone: While the concept of mitophagy has been studied, the specific focus on secretory mitophagy in cancer is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested.
Where this research is happening
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George Mason University
Fairfax, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Howard, Marissa Ashton — George Mason University
- Study coordinator: Howard, Marissa Ashton
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.