PROMINENT cancer research: understanding how mutations in normal tissue relate to cancer growth
Official title: VCU MASSEY COMPREHENSIVE CANCER CENTER - PROMINENT
Funded at Virginia Commonwealth University · NIH-11601741 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A cancer research project at a major university is exploring how DNA mutations in normal cells relate to the development of cancer, using animal models and human tissues to uncover clues that could inform prevention and treatment.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Virginia Commonwealth University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Richmond, United States) |
| Project start | June 1, 2026 |
| Project end | May 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $237,225 |
| NIH project number | 1OT2CA325419-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11601741 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Individuals with or at risk for cancer who have or may harbor tissue mutations relevant to cancer development could be involved through tissue samples or future studies.
✕Less likely to help
People without cancer or related tissue mutations may not directly benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This project uses a transdisciplinary approach to study how mutations in normal tissues interact with factors that promote tumor growth. Researchers will combine single-cell technologies, new biological models, and imaging to observe how abnormal cells may or may not become cancerous. Human tissues from prior studies and lab-grown tissues will be analyzed alongside animal models to build a clearer picture of cancer progression. The findings could help explain why some mutations lead to cancer while others do not, and point toward new strategies for risk reduction and therapy.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could lead to better understanding of who is at risk and new targets for preventing or slowing cancer.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work with Mutographs and related studies have shown that mutations in normal tissue don’t always lead to cancer, suggesting this line of research could yield actionable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Rhoads, Kim Felder — Virginia Commonwealth University
- Study coordinator: Rhoads, Kim Felder
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.