Targeting mitochondria to prevent and treat aggressive lung tumors
Targeting tumor cell mitochondria for the prevention and treatment of lung cancer
This project tests a mitochondria-targeted metformin-like drug to kill and prevent aggressive KRAS/LKB1 lung adenocarcinomas and help them respond better to immunotherapy.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Minnesota NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Minneapolis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11251960 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would be hearing about work aimed at a common and deadly type of lung cancer driven by KRAS mutations and loss of the LKB1 gene. Researchers plan to use a mitochondria-directed version of metformin (called mitomet) that builds up inside tumor cell mitochondria to raise energetic and oxidative stress and selectively kill cancer cells. The team will test mitomet in lab-grown human lung cancer cells and in mouse models that mimic KRAS/LKB1 tumors to see if it prevents tumor progression and enhances immune checkpoint therapy. Results may guide future clinical trials for people with these specific tumor changes.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for future clinical testing would be people with lung adenocarcinoma whose tumors have KRAS mutations together with loss or inactivation of LKB1 (KL tumors).
Not a fit: Patients whose tumors do not carry KRAS and LKB1 alterations or who have other lung cancer types are unlikely to benefit from this specific approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could slow or stop progression of aggressive KRAS/LKB1 lung cancers and make immunotherapy more effective for these patients.
How similar studies have performed: Related mitochondria-directed or metformin-based cancer strategies have shown promising results in laboratory studies but have limited proof of benefit in patients so far.
Where this research is happening
Minneapolis, United States
- University of Minnesota — Minneapolis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kassie, Fekadu — University of Minnesota
- Study coordinator: Kassie, Fekadu
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.