Investigating how potassium channels affect treatment of certain stomach tumors
Prognostic and Therapeutic Roles of Voltage Gated Potassium Channels in Managing KIT Mutant Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors (GIST)
This study is looking at a type of tumor called gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) that are caused by changes in a gene, and it’s testing whether combining a cancer drug with another medication can help make the treatment more effective for patients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Diego NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11132427 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research focuses on gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) that are driven by specific mutations in the KIT gene. It aims to understand the role of voltage-gated potassium channels in these tumors and how they can be targeted to improve treatment outcomes. The study will explore the effectiveness of combining an existing cancer drug, imatinib, with a medication called 4-AP, which blocks potassium channels, to potentially enhance tumor cell death. Patients may be involved in trials assessing the safety and efficacy of this combination therapy.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with gastrointestinal stromal tumors that have KIT mutations.
Not a fit: Patients with GIST that do not have KIT mutations or those who have already exhausted all treatment options may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective treatment options for patients with KIT mutant GIST, potentially improving survival rates.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promising results with similar approaches in targeting cancer cells, suggesting potential for success in this novel combination therapy.
Where this research is happening
La Jolla, United States
- University of California, San Diego — La Jolla, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sicklick, Jason Keith — University of California, San Diego
- Study coordinator: Sicklick, Jason Keith
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.