Low tumor oxygen and how it can make lung and esophageal cancers resist radiation by blocking ferroptosis
Tumor hypoxia promotes acquired resistance to radiation through ferroptosis inhibition
This project looks at whether low oxygen inside lung and esophageal tumors stops a form of cell death called ferroptosis and makes tumors resistant to radiation therapy.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11172415 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will use lung and esophageal cancer cells grown in the lab that have changes in genes controlling ferroptosis (SLC7A11 and ATF4). They will expose these cells to different oxygen levels and to radiation, then measure radiosensitivity, lipid peroxidation (a marker of ferroptosis), and SLC7A11 expression. The team aims to determine if low oxygen in tumors prevents ferroptosis and thereby promotes acquired resistance to radiation. Results could point to strategies to restore ferroptosis or overcome hypoxia-driven resistance in tumors.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with lung cancer or esophageal adenocarcinoma, particularly those receiving radiation therapy, would be the most directly relevant to this research.
Not a fit: People with non-solid tumors or cancers that are not treated with radiation are unlikely to benefit directly from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could point to new ways to make radiation therapy work better for patients with lung or esophageal cancer.
How similar studies have performed: Preclinical studies have linked ferroptosis to radiation response, but translating these findings into effective patient treatments remains early and unproven.
Where this research is happening
Houston, United States
- University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr — Houston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Koong, Albert — University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr
- Study coordinator: Koong, Albert
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.