Targeting PI3K-mTOR signaling in cancer linked to Bourneville syndromes
Official title: Decoding and Targeting the PI3K-mTOR Signaling Network in Cancer
Funded at Harvard University D/b/a Harvard School of Public Health · NIH-11416434 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A cancer-focused research project at a major university aims to understand and influence a key growth pathway (PI3K-mTOR) that drives cancer growth.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Harvard University D/b/a Harvard School of Public Health NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2022 |
| Project end | July 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $959,712 |
| NIH project number | 5R35CA197459-12 |
| Project ID | NIH-11416434 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with cancers where PI3K-mTOR signaling is abnormally activated may benefit from future targeted therapies emerging from this work.
✕Less likely to help
This research is primarily at the discovery stage; direct benefit to patients may not occur during the study.
What this research studies
This grant investigates how the PI3K and mTOR pathways interact to promote cancer cell growth, focusing on the TSC complex and Rheb as critical regulators. Researchers have developed new genetic mouse models to study these processes over several years of funded work. The goal is to uncover novel mechanisms and potential points for therapeutic intervention. The work builds on long-term, stable funding and uses advanced genetic techniques to explore how these signals drive cancer metabolism and growth.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, findings could reveal new targets for cancer therapies and improve understanding of how growth signals fuel tumors.
How similar studies have gone: Prior studies have linked PI3K-mTOR signaling to cancer, with ongoing work suggesting new avenues but requiring validation in models and eventual clinical trials.
Where this research is happening
-
Harvard University D/b/a Harvard School of Public Health
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Manning, Brendan D. — Harvard University D/b/a Harvard School of Public Health
- Study coordinator: Manning, Brendan D.
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.