Investigating the role of LIN28B in liver cancer spread and blood vessel regulation
Official title: Defining pro-metastatic and endothelial-regulatory roles for LIN28B in hepatocellular carcinoma
Funded at University of Chicago · NIH-10912067 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a protein called LIN28B affects the spread of liver cancer, aiming to find new ways to treat it by understanding how cancer cells interact with blood vessel cells, and it will also analyze patient samples to discover helpful markers for treatment.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Chicago NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $265,315 |
| NIH project number | 5K08CA263551-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10912067 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with hepatocellular carcinoma who may benefit from novel treatment approaches.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with other types of cancer or those without hepatocellular carcinoma may not receive any benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), a severe form of liver cancer that relies on the formation of new blood vessels for growth and spread. The study aims to understand how LIN28B, a protein found in tumors, influences the metastasis of HCC by conducting a series of experiments involving both laboratory cell cultures and animal models. Researchers will analyze how LIN28B affects interactions between HCC cells and endothelial cells, which line blood vessels, to uncover potential new treatment strategies. Additionally, the study will utilize advanced techniques to analyze tumor samples from patients to identify biomarkers that could guide therapy.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new therapies that specifically target the mechanisms of liver cancer spread and improve patient outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in targeting similar pathways in other cancers, suggesting potential for success in this novel approach.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Chicago
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Franses, Joseph Wang — University of Chicago
- Study coordinator: Franses, Joseph Wang
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
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.
-
Adding PSMA PET/CT imaging to liver cancer care for veterans
This project tests a new PET imaging approach to help diagnose and guide treatment for liver cancer in veterans.
-
Blood markers to catch early liver cancer in Hispanic people with hepatitis B
This project will see if a blood test can find liver cancer earlier in Hispanic people who have chronic hepatitis B.
-
Early blood markers to find hepatitis B–related liver cancer in Hispanics
This project will use immune-related blood markers to find liver cancer earlier in people with chronic hepatitis B, focusing on Hispanic adults.
-
Towards a blood-based test using nanophotonic exosomes to screen and diagnose liver cancer
A new blood test using tiny particles shed by liver cancer cells aims to screen for hepatocellular carcinoma earlier and more accurately.
-
Metabolic imaging to guide targeted therapy for liver cancer
A clinician-scientist at UPenn is pursuing training to use metabolic imaging to tailor therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma.
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.