Molecular ways to find and target cancer earlier
Molecular strategies for early detection and targeting of cancer
This work tests molecular methods to detect cancers sooner and to target therapy-resistant tumor cells, focusing especially on pancreatic cancer and treatment-resistant leukemias.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Columbia University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11177695 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a patient perspective, the team studies the signals that let benign lesions become aggressive cancers and uses advanced imaging and lab models to find the programs that drive progression and relapse. They use preclinical models that have already helped bring new leukemia drugs toward the clinic and are extending those approaches to pancreatic cancer. The researchers will trace how different pancreatic cancer subtypes start and evolve and search for molecular signs that could enable earlier detection and interception. Together these steps aim to move discoveries from the lab into tests or treatments that could reach patients.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Patients who might be most relevant are people with pancreatic cancer or high-risk pancreatic lesions and patients with leukemias that are resistant to standard treatments.
Not a fit: People with health conditions unrelated to the cancers or molecular pathways studied here would be unlikely to see direct benefit in the near term.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to earlier detection tools and new targeted treatments that reduce relapse and improve outcomes, especially for pancreatic cancer and drug-resistant leukemias.
How similar studies have performed: Related preclinical-to-clinical work from this group has helped bring drugs like glasdegib to patients with leukemia, though applying these molecular and early-detection methods to pancreatic cancer is newer.
Where this research is happening
New York, United States
- Columbia University Health Sciences — New York, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Reya, Tannishtha — Columbia University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Reya, Tannishtha
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.