Targeting a specific gene to improve treatment for certain lung cancers
Official title: Targeting SMARCA2 to overcome resistance of SMARCA4-mutant lung cancer to KRAS G12C inhibitors
Funded at University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr · NIH-11031130 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a new treatment that targets the SMARCA2 gene might help lung cancer patients with a specific mutation who are not responding well to their current medication, aiming to improve their treatment outcomes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project start | January 1, 2025 |
| Project end | December 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $267,527 |
| NIH project number | 1R21CA295906-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11031130 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are lung cancer patients with SMARCA4 mutations who are being treated with KRAS G12C inhibitors.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without SMARCA4 mutations or those not receiving KRAS G12C inhibitors may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how targeting the SMARCA2 gene can help overcome resistance in lung cancer patients who have mutations in the SMARCA4 gene and are being treated with KRAS G12C inhibitors. The researchers are developing small molecules that can degrade SMARCA2, which may enhance the effectiveness of existing treatments. By using advanced techniques like PROTAC technology, they aim to create a new therapeutic strategy that could lead to better outcomes for patients with these specific genetic profiles. The study will involve laboratory experiments to test the effectiveness of these new compounds in combination with current therapies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a new treatment option for lung cancer patients who currently have limited effective therapies.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in targeting genetic interactions in cancer, suggesting that this approach could be effective, although it may still be considered novel in this specific context.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr
Houston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lissanu, Yonathan — University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr
- Study coordinator: Lissanu, Yonathan
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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.