Proteins that help lung adenocarcinoma cells move and invade
Rac guanine nucleotide exchange factors in lung cancer
['FUNDING_R01'] · UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI SCHOOL OF MEDICINE · NIH-11184524
This project looks at specific proteins that help lung adenocarcinoma cells move and invade, aiming to find ways to stop tumor spread for people with KRAS- or EGFR-driven lung cancers.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI SCHOOL OF MEDICINE (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (CORAL GABLES, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11184524 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
Researchers will study a group of proteins called Rac‑GEFs that switch on Rac1, a molecule that helps lung cancer cells change shape and move. They will use KRAS-mutant lung cancer cell lines and CRISPR gene editing to remove specific Rac‑GEFs and measure changes in cell movement and invasive behavior. The team has already flagged three Rac‑GEFs (ARHGEF39, FARP1, TIAM2) and will test their roles in lab-grown cells and animal models to understand how they drive progression. This work is aimed at identifying targets that could be blocked to limit metastasis.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with lung adenocarcinoma, especially those whose tumors have KRAS or EGFR mutations, would be most relevant to this work.
Not a fit: People with other types of lung cancer or without KRAS/EGFR-driven tumors may be less likely to benefit directly from these findings.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new drug targets that block tumor cell movement and reduce metastasis in lung adenocarcinoma.
How similar studies have performed: Previous lab studies implicate Rac1 signaling in cancer spread, but targeting these particular Rac‑GEFs in lung adenocarcinoma is a newer and less tested approach.
Where this research is happening
CORAL GABLES, UNITED STATES
- UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI SCHOOL OF MEDICINE — CORAL GABLES, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: KAZANIETZ, MARCELO G. — UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI SCHOOL OF MEDICINE
- Study coordinator: KAZANIETZ, MARCELO G.
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.