Protecting the heart from cancer drugs like ibrutinib
Official title: Elucidating Protective Mechanisms for Cardiotoxicity of Kinase Inhibitors
Funded at Stanford University · NIH-11415075 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A team at Stanford is studying how certain cancer drugs can cause heart rhythm problems and is testing ways to prevent those effects.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P01 program project |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Stanford University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Stanford, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2019 |
| Project end | August 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $501,640 |
| NIH project number | 5P01HL141084-08 |
| Project ID | NIH-11415075 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with cancer who may receive BTK inhibitors or who have experienced or are at risk for drug-induced heart rhythm problems.
✕Less likely to help
Patients not receiving BTK inhibitors or those without cardiac risk from these drugs may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
This project uses patient-derived heart cells grown in the lab to model how the drug ibrutinib can cause arrhythmias. By applying high-throughput tests and deep learning analysis, researchers aim to identify targets that stop these dangerous heart rhythms. Promising candidates will then be evaluated in mouse models to see if they can protect heart function without compromising cancer control. The work combines advanced cell models, automation, and AI to speed up finding safer treatment options for patients taking covalent BTK inhibitors.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to safer cancer therapies with a lower risk of heart-related side effects for patients.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work shows that hiPSC-derived heart cells can model drug-induced arrhythmias and help identify protective strategies; this project builds on that approach with a specific drug class.
Where this research is happening
-
Stanford University
Stanford, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mercola, Mark — Stanford University
- Study coordinator: Mercola, Mark
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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.