Targeting ferroptosis to overcome radiation resistance in lung and esophageal cancer
Administrative Core
This project will see if drugs that trigger ferroptosis (iron-driven cell death) can help radiation work better for people with lung or esophageal cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11172402 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers at the ARTI Center are studying why some lung and esophageal tumors stop responding to radiation and whether triggering ferroptosis can reverse that resistance. The center supports three linked projects: testing ferroptosis-inducing drugs with radiation, checking whether low-oxygen (hypoxic) tumor areas resist ferroptosis and can be re-sensitized, and examining genomic and microenvironment factors in esophageal adenocarcinoma that block ferroptosis. A shared Molecular Imaging Core will use imaging to track tumor growth, find hypoxic regions, and measure immune cell changes as therapies are combined. The work includes lab models and studies designed to guide future patient-focused trials.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with lung cancer or esophageal adenocarcinoma who are receiving or have received radiation or chemoradiation, especially if their tumor has shown signs of resistance, would be the most relevant candidates.
Not a fit: Patients with cancers not treated with radiation, with other cancer types, or who cannot tolerate study procedures may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could make radiation and chemoradiation more effective and reduce the chance that tumors become treatment‑resistant.
How similar studies have performed: Preclinical studies suggest ferroptosis inducers can sensitize tumors to radiation, but translating this approach to patients is still at an early, largely untested stage.
Where this research is happening
Houston, United States
- University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr — Houston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gan, Boyi — University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr
- Study coordinator: Gan, Boyi
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.