Preventing resistance to KRAS G12C drugs in lung cancer by targeting the tumor microenvironment
Dissecting and targeting tumor-TME crosstalk to forestall acquired KRASG12C inhibitor resistance in NSCLC.
This research seeks ways to stop lung cancers with KRAS G12C mutations from becoming resistant to targeted drugs by changing how tumor cells and their surrounding tissue interact.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11324602 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
The team will study how cancer cells and their surrounding tumor microenvironment communicate in order to cause resistance to KRAS G12C inhibitors. They will use laboratory and animal models plus analysis of tumor and immune cells to map the signals that change during treatment. Researchers will test drug combinations or strategies that alter the microenvironment and immune response, and examine how common co-mutations like STK11/LKB1 and TP53 change those effects. The goal is to find approaches that prevent or reverse resistance so targeted therapies work longer.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would be people with non-small cell lung cancer whose tumors carry the KRAS G12C mutation, including those with common co-mutations such as STK11/LKB1 or TP53.
Not a fit: People without KRAS G12C mutations or with other types of cancer are unlikely to benefit from the approaches in this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help people with KRAS G12C-mutant lung cancer have longer-lasting responses to targeted treatments and fewer relapses.
How similar studies have performed: KRAS G12C inhibitors have produced meaningful initial tumor responses in many patients, but resistance commonly emerges and targeting the tumor microenvironment to prevent that resistance is a newer, less-tested approach.
Where this research is happening
Houston, United States
- University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr — Houston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Skoulidis, Ferdinandos — University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr
- Study coordinator: Skoulidis, Ferdinandos
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.