MALAT1 noncoding RNA and aggressive lung adenocarcinoma

Deregulation of long noncoding RNAs in cancer

['FUNDING_R01'] · YALE UNIVERSITY · NIH-11143783

Researchers are testing whether high levels of a noncoding molecule called MALAT1 make lung adenocarcinoma grow and spread, using patient tumor cells and animal models.

Quick facts

Phase['FUNDING_R01']
Study typeNih_funding
SexAll
SponsorYALE UNIVERSITY (nih funded)
Locations1 site (NEW HAVEN, UNITED STATES)
Trial IDNIH-11143783 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this research studies

If you have lung adenocarcinoma, this project looks at a noncoding RNA called MALAT1 that is often found at high levels in aggressive tumors. The team uses patient-derived tumor cells and an advanced CRISPR activation tool to raise MALAT1 levels, and they use time-controlled mouse models to mimic tumor development. They examine how MALAT1 changes cancer cell programs and the tumor microenvironment, including cytokines and stromal signals that help tumors spread. The goal is to understand how MALAT1 drives metastasis so future treatments could target that process.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: People with lung adenocarcinoma—especially those having surgery or willing to provide tumor samples or join future related trials—would be the most relevant participants.

Not a fit: Patients with other cancer types or those seeking immediate treatment will not directly benefit because this is preclinical and mechanistic research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this work could identify MALAT1 as a real driver of aggressive lung adenocarcinoma and point to new ways to stop tumor growth and spread.

How similar studies have performed: Prior studies have linked high MALAT1 to worse lung cancer outcomes, and preliminary mouse work suggests MALAT1 can drive metastasis, while using CRISPR activation to model overexpression is a relatively new approach.

Where this research is happening

NEW HAVEN, UNITED STATES

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.

View on NIH RePORTER →

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.