Investigating how mTOR affects tumor survival after treatment
Official title: Functional roles of mTOR in tumor persistence
Funded at Methodist Hospital Research Institute · NIH-11066523 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a specific pathway in cancer cells helps tumors survive after chemotherapy, and it’s testing whether blocking this pathway can make tumors go into a resting state, which could lead to better treatments for patients with stubborn cancers.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Methodist Hospital Research Institute NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project start | April 4, 2024 |
| Project end | March 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $401,087 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA288884-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11066523 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients with breast cancer or other cancers who have experienced tumor persistence after chemotherapy.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with early-stage cancers that have not undergone chemotherapy may not receive benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research explores the role of the mTOR pathway in cancer cells, particularly how it influences tumor survival after chemotherapy. By examining how mTOR inhibitors can induce a dormant state in tumors, the study aims to understand why some tumors persist despite treatment. The research employs advanced techniques to analyze tumor behavior and responses to mTOR inhibition, potentially revealing new strategies for improving cancer therapies. Patients may benefit from insights that could lead to more effective treatments for resistant tumors.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved cancer treatments that effectively target persistent tumors.
How similar studies have gone: While the mTOR pathway has been extensively studied, this specific approach to understanding tumor persistence through mTOR inhibition is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Methodist Hospital Research Institute
Houston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Li, Yulin — Methodist Hospital Research Institute
- Study coordinator: Li, Yulin
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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.