Starving Small Cell Lung Cancer of a Key Nutrient
Mechanisms of Arginine Deprivation in Small Cell Lung Cancer
This project explores how depriving small cell lung cancer cells of a nutrient called arginine might help treat patients with an aggressive form of the disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Duke University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Durham, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11092843 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is a very aggressive cancer that often becomes resistant to chemotherapy, leading to poor outcomes. Researchers have found that SCLC can be divided into different types, and one specific type, called MYC-driven SCLC, relies heavily on a nutrient called arginine to grow. This project aims to understand exactly how depriving these cancer cells of arginine affects them. By learning more about this process, we hope to develop new ways to treat patients whose SCLC is driven by MYC.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Patients with small cell lung cancer, specifically those whose tumors are identified as MYC-driven, are the focus of this research.
Not a fit: Patients with non-MYC-driven small cell lung cancer may not benefit from this specific arginine-deprivation approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new targeted therapies for patients with MYC-driven small cell lung cancer, offering a much-needed treatment option for this aggressive disease.
How similar studies have performed: Preliminary data using an arginine-depleting drug has shown effectiveness in mouse models of MYC-driven SCLC.
Where this research is happening
Durham, United States
- Duke University — Durham, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Oliver, Trudy Gale — Duke University
- Study coordinator: Oliver, Trudy Gale
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.