Making radiation treatment for advanced cancers safer and more effective
Advancing Cancer Therapy through Groundbreaking Research in Radiation Biology
Researchers are developing new lab models and molecular tools to help radiation therapy better kill sarcoma tumors while reducing harm to healthy tissue.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Roswell Park Cancer Institute Corp NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Buffalo, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11172601 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This team focuses on sarcomas and uses CRISPR gene editing to build new mouse and cell models that mimic how these tumors grow and spread. They trace tumor cell lineages and look for genes that drive metastasis or make tumors unusually sensitive to radiation. The group also studies how radiation damages normal tissues and how tumor and immune responses influence treatment outcomes. Findings from these lab and animal studies are meant to point to targets that could lead to safer, more effective radiation approaches for patients.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Patients with sarcoma—especially those with myxoid liposarcoma or advanced/metastatic disease—or people willing to contribute tumor samples could be most relevant to related clinical or translational efforts.
Not a fit: People with cancers unrelated to sarcoma or those seeking an immediate treatment change are unlikely to gain direct benefit from this laboratory-focused program.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to radiation approaches that cure more sarcoma patients while causing fewer long-term side effects.
How similar studies have performed: CRISPR-based mouse models have previously helped identify promising cancer targets, but some findings here—like the FUS-CHOP link to radiosensitivity—are novel and still need clinical follow-up.
Where this research is happening
Buffalo, United States
- Roswell Park Cancer Institute Corp — Buffalo, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kirsch, David Guy — Roswell Park Cancer Institute Corp
- Study coordinator: Kirsch, David Guy
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.