Investigating how Wnt signaling affects aggressive thyroid cancer
Official title: The role of Wnt signaling in aggressive thyroid carcinoma
Funded at Vanderbilt University Medical Center · NIH-10914063 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain signals in the body affect aggressive thyroid cancers that come back after treatment, and it aims to find new ways to help patients by testing how these cancers respond to specific drugs.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Vanderbilt University Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Nashville, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2020 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $193,884 |
| NIH project number | 5K08CA240901-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-10914063 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with aggressive or recurrent thyroid cancer, particularly those with anaplastic thyroid carcinoma.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with well-differentiated thyroid cancer that has not recurred or progressed may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding the role of Wnt signaling in aggressive forms of thyroid cancer, particularly those that are recurrent and treatment-resistant. It aims to explore how these cancers, which often develop from well-differentiated thyroid cancers into highly lethal anaplastic thyroid carcinoma, respond to BRAF inhibitors and the potential role of Wnt signaling in this process. The study utilizes a unique organoid system derived from patient tumors to analyze the genetic alterations and signaling pathways involved. By examining these mechanisms, the research seeks to identify new therapeutic targets for improving treatment outcomes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatment strategies for patients with aggressive thyroid cancer, potentially improving survival rates.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has indicated that targeting Wnt signaling may be effective in treating various cancers, suggesting potential for success in this novel approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Nashville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Weiss, Vivian Lee — Vanderbilt University Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Weiss, Vivian Lee
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
How support cells (fibroblasts) affect thyroid cancer growth
This research looks at whether certain support cells called cancer-associated fibroblasts, marked by FAP and Wnt signals, help some thyroid cancers become more aggressive so tests or treatments can be developed.
-
Investigating how cancer-associated fibroblasts affect thyroid cancer.
This study is looking at how certain cells in the thyroid can affect the growth of thyroid cancer, with the hope of finding new ways to improve treatment for patients like you.
-
Investigating how certain cells in thyroid cancer affect disease progression
This study is looking at how certain cells in the thyroid, called cancer-associated fibroblasts, help aggressive thyroid cancers grow and spread, with the hope of finding new ways to predict and improve treatment for patients with these tough-to-treat cancers.
-
Investigating a new RNA's role in aggressive thyroid cancer
This study is looking at a tough type of thyroid cancer called BRAFV600E-papillary thyroid carcinoma to see how a newly discovered RNA affects how the cancer uses iodine and survives, with the goal of finding better treatment options for patients like you.
-
Novel idea: Epstein-Barr virus and eye cancer in people living with HIV in Zimbabwe
A study explores whether Epstein-Barr virus could cause a type of eye cancer in people living with HIV in Zimbabwe.
-
Glutamine and macrophage behavior in liver cancer
A funded project at a medical university aims to understand how the liver’s immune cells interact with a specific type of liver cancer by looking at metabolism, especially glutamine and ammonia.
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.