Investigating how mitochondrial injury contributes to heart problems caused by cancer treatment
Official title: Defining the role of mitochondrial injury in MEK inhibitor cardiotoxicity
Funded at Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill · NIH-10906162 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking into how the cancer treatment Trametinib might affect heart health, especially for patients with melanoma or triple negative breast cancer, to better understand any heart problems it could cause and find ways to help prevent them.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chapel Hill, United States) |
| Project start | August 11, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $509,288 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL165294-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10906162 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients being treated with Trametinib for melanoma or triple negative breast cancer who may be at risk for heart complications.
✕Less likely to help
Patients not receiving Trametinib or those with pre-existing severe heart conditions may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding the heart-related side effects caused by a cancer treatment called Trametinib, which is used to target specific cancer pathways. The study aims to explore how this treatment can lead to mitochondrial injury in heart cells, potentially causing heart dysfunction. By examining the biological mechanisms involved, researchers hope to identify the reasons behind these adverse effects and develop strategies to mitigate them. Patients receiving Trametinib for conditions like melanoma or triple negative breast cancer may be particularly affected by these heart issues.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved safety and management of heart-related side effects in patients undergoing treatment with Trametinib.
How similar studies have gone: While the specific mechanisms of Trametinib-related cardiotoxicity are not fully understood, similar research has shown that targeting cancer pathways can lead to unexpected side effects, indicating a need for further investigation.
Where this research is happening
-
Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Jensen, Brian C — Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
- Study coordinator: Jensen, Brian C
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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.