Investigating new treatments for small cell lung cancer using Jumonji inhibitors
Official title: Jumonji KDM4A drives targetable oncogenic programs in small cell lung cancer
Funded at Ut Southwestern Medical Center · NIH-11112559 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at small cell lung cancer and how certain enzymes might make it tougher to treat, with the goal of finding new ways to help patients who haven't had success with standard treatments.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Ut Southwestern Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Dallas, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2025 |
| Project end | March 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $191,675 |
| NIH project number | 1R21CA280319-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11112559 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with small cell lung cancer, especially those experiencing drug resistance.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with other types of lung cancer or those who do not have small cell lung cancer may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on small cell lung cancer (SCLC), a type of cancer known for its rapid development of drug resistance. The team aims to explore the role of Jumonji lysine demethylases, which are enzymes that may contribute to the aggressive nature of SCLC. By using specialized inhibitors that target these enzymes, the researchers hope to develop new therapeutic strategies that could be effective even in cases where traditional treatments have failed. Patients may benefit from innovative treatment options that could improve outcomes for this challenging cancer type.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new, effective treatments for patients with small cell lung cancer, particularly those who have not responded to existing therapies.
How similar studies have gone: While the approach of targeting Jumonji demethylases in cancer treatment is promising, it is still considered a novel strategy with limited prior success in clinical settings.
Where this research is happening
-
Ut Southwestern Medical Center
Dallas, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Martinez, Elisabeth D — Ut Southwestern Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Martinez, Elisabeth D
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
ABL kinase signaling and DNA collisions in small cell lung cancer
A drug target study in small cell lung cancer explores how blocking ABL kinase affects conflicts between transcription and DNA replication, which could influence tumor growth and survival.
-
XRN1 as a potential therapy target in lung cancer
A scientist-led program will study a cellular gene called XRN1 to see if turning it off can help treat non-small cell lung cancer.
-
Intermittent fasting with PD-1 inhibitors for non-small cell lung cancer
This grant tests whether a fasting-mimicking diet can boost the effectiveness of PD-1 inhibitors for people with non-small cell lung cancer.
-
Targeting STRAP to curb NSCLC spread with nanoparticle therapy
Aimed at non-small cell lung cancer, this grant tests how blocking a protein called STRAP with nanoparticles could slow cancer spread and make chemotherapy work better.
-
Modeling tumor differences to guide new treatments for resistant small cell lung cancer
A study aims to understand why some small cell lung cancer tumors resist treatment and use those insights to develop new targeted therapies.
-
TP53-mutant NSCLC: how epigenetic viral mimicry could boost immune therapy
A research grant exploring how p53 mutations in non-small cell lung cancer affect responses to a viral mimicry-based epigenetic therapy, with the goal of improving immune therapy outcomes for patients.
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.