NIH-funded research NIH-funded research

Modeling tumor differences to guide new treatments for resistant small cell lung cancer

Official title: Modeling tumor heterogeneity, to develop new therapeutic strategies for treatment of resistant small cell lung cancer

Funded at University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr · NIH-11445820 · Data updated 2026-11-12

A study aims to understand why some small cell lung cancer tumors resist treatment and use those insights to develop new targeted therapies.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Houston, United States)
Project startSeptember 4, 2020
Project endJuly 31, 2031
Funding year2026
Award (this year)$157,343
NIH project number2R50CA243698-06A1
Project IDNIH-11445820 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Patients with small cell lung cancer, especially those who have relapsed or show resistance to current therapies.

Less likely to help

Patients without relapsed disease or without access to the specific therapies being explored may not benefit.

What this research studies

This project centers on small cell lung cancer, a fast-growing cancer that often stops responding to standard treatments. Researchers will study tumor diversity and how it changes after therapy, using patient-derived models and advanced analyses to find new therapeutic opportunities. The team has a strong track record in molecular profiling and biobank resources to link tumor features with response to surface-targeting drugs and antibody-drug conjugates. Results could point to new strategies to overcome resistance and improve outcomes for patients with relapsed disease.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the work could lead to better, more effective treatment options for patients with relapsed small cell lung cancer.

How similar studies have gone: Prior work shows that profiling tumor heterogeneity and liquid biopsies can inform treatment choices and guide new therapies, with promising signals in surface-targeting approaches.

Where this research is happening

  • University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr
    Houston, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Stewart, Catherine Allison — University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr
  • Study coordinator: Stewart, Catherine Allison

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

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.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 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.