Mitochondrial calcium's effect on cancer cell ferroptosis
Modulation of ferroptotic cell death by mitochondrial calcium signaling
This project tests whether blocking a mitochondrial calcium channel can make treatment-resistant cancer cells die more easily by ferroptosis and help the immune system fight tumors.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Ohio State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Columbus, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-11294315 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project looks at how a mitochondrial calcium channel called the MCU changes cancer cell metabolism and a protective protein (GPX4) that prevents ferroptosis. Researchers will remove or block MCU in cancer cells and measure changes in acetyl-CoA production, GPX4 modification, and sensitivity to ferroptotic cell death. They will also examine whether these changes alter the tumor microenvironment and improve anti-tumor immune responses using lab-grown cells and preclinical tumor models. The goal is to see if targeting MCU could make resistant tumors more vulnerable to ferroptosis and immune attack.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would be patients with cancers that have become resistant to standard treatments and where making tumors susceptible to ferroptosis might help.
Not a fit: Patients without cancer or with tumor types that are not susceptible to ferroptosis or not linked to mitochondrial calcium signaling are unlikely to benefit directly from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new therapies that make resistant cancers more likely to die and boost the body’s anti-tumor immune response.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown ferroptosis can kill some therapy-resistant tumors, but using mitochondrial calcium (MCU) to control GPX4 acetylation is a novel approach.
Where this research is happening
Columbus, UNITED STATES
- Ohio State University — Columbus, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wen, Haitao — Ohio State University
- Study coordinator: Wen, Haitao
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.