Redefining when EGFR inhibitors help cancers with mutant RAS
Official title: Redefining indications of EGFR inhibitors in cancers that harbor mutant RAS
Funded at Medical College of Wisconsin · NIH-11402696 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are studying which cancers with KRAS mutations may still respond to anti-EGFR therapy and how to make that treatment work better for patients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Medical College of Wisconsin NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Milwaukee, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $1,070,550 |
| NIH project number | 4R01CA276771-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11402696 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with colorectal cancer whose tumors harbor specific KRAS mutations, including but not limited to KRAS G13D and other mutants that may influence EGFR inhibitor sensitivity.
✕Less likely to help
Patients whose tumors lack the target mutations or have mutations not associated with EGFR inhibitor sensitivity may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project looks at how certain KRAS mutations influence the effectiveness of anti-EGFR monoclonal antibodies in colorectal cancer. The team will map which KRAS mutants fail or succeed at responding to EGFR inhibitors and explore how NF1 interactions affect wild-type RAS activation. They plan to test candidates in functional studies and use drug strategies to sensitize tumors that carry resistant KRAS alleles. The goal is to refine patient selection and identify new approaches to improve outcomes for people with colorectal cancer and specific KRAS mutations.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could expand the subset of colorectal cancer patients who benefit from anti-EGFR therapies and suggest new ways to overcome resistance.
How similar studies have gone: Previous findings have suggested that certain KRAS mutations respond to EGFR inhibitors, but results have been debated and this project seeks to validate and extend those observations.
Where this research is happening
-
Medical College of Wisconsin
Milwaukee, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mcfall, Thomas Bradley — Medical College of Wisconsin
- Study coordinator: Mcfall, Thomas Bradley
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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.