Targeted treatments to boost radiation for locally advanced cancers
Official title: Molecularly Targeted Radiosensitization of Locally Advanced Cancers
Funded at University of Michigan at Ann Arbor · NIH-11180407 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Looks at whether adding drugs that target cancer-specific weaknesses can make radiation more effective for people with locally advanced or inoperable tumors.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Michigan at Ann Arbor NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Ann Arbor, United States) |
| Project start | August 14, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $2,027,150 |
| NIH project number | 5P50CA269022-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11180407 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with locally advanced or unresectable tumors who are receiving radiation therapy and are willing to join early-phase clinical trials at participating centers.
✕Less likely to help
People with early-stage cancers already treatable by surgery alone, those not receiving radiation, or those with widespread metastatic disease are unlikely to benefit from these local radiosensitizing approaches.
What this research studies
This project looks for ways to make radiation work better against tumors that are hard to remove by pairing radiation with drugs that target cancer's molecular weaknesses. Researchers will study tumor cells and animal models in the lab to learn why some cancers resist radiation and which targets matter. Promising drug–radiation combinations will be moved into small pilot clinical trials with correlative tests on patient samples to see early signals of benefit. The team aims to find combinations that improve local tumor control while monitoring side effects.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could help radiation cure more locally advanced tumors and reduce the chance the cancer comes back.
How similar studies have gone: Some targeted drugs have improved radiation effects in specific cancers, but many combinations are novel and still require clinical testing.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lawrence, Theodore S — University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
- Study coordinator: Lawrence, Theodore S
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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.