Making chemotherapy more effective for cancer
Exploring the role and potential of anti-viral drugs to sensitize cancer cells to chemotherapy
This work explores how certain anti-viral drugs might help chemotherapy medicines work better against various cancers, including those that have become resistant to treatment.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Methodist Hospital Research Institute NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11097181 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Chemotherapy is a common cancer treatment, but cancer cells often become resistant to it, making treatment less effective. Our team found that certain anti-viral drugs, originally used for hepatitis C, might make cancer cells more sensitive to chemotherapy. We are looking into how these anti-viral drugs help chemotherapy drugs stay inside cancer cells longer, which could lead to better outcomes. This approach could potentially allow for lower doses of chemotherapy while still achieving strong effects against cancer.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This foundational work is relevant to patients with various solid and blood cancers, including multiple myeloma, pancreatic cancer, and breast cancer, who may face challenges with chemotherapy resistance.
Not a fit: As this is early-stage laboratory research, patients will not receive direct treatment or benefit from this specific grant at this time.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new ways to make chemotherapy more effective, especially for cancers that have become resistant to current treatments, potentially reducing side effects by allowing lower drug doses.
How similar studies have performed: Our team has made initial discoveries showing that these anti-viral drugs can sensitize cancer cells to chemotherapy, and this work builds upon those promising findings.
Where this research is happening
Houston, United States
- Methodist Hospital Research Institute — Houston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Yi, Qing — Methodist Hospital Research Institute
- Study coordinator: Yi, Qing
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.