Targeting SMARCA2 to treat lung cancers that lack SMARCA4
Official title: Targeting SMARCA2 in SMARCA4-deficient lung cancers in vivo
Funded at Columbia University Health Sciences · NIH-11304485 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This work looks at whether blocking a protein called SMARCA2 can slow or stop lung cancers that have lost the related gene SMARCA4.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R37 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Columbia University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | March 17, 2025 |
| Project end | February 28, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $557,418 |
| NIH project number | 5R37CA300526-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11304485 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with non-small cell lung adenocarcinoma whose tumors show loss-of-function SMARCA4 alterations would be the most relevant candidates for future trials based on this work.
✕Less likely to help
Patients whose tumors retain functional SMARCA4 or who have other lung cancer subtypes are unlikely to benefit from SMARCA2-targeted approaches.
What this research studies
Researchers will use genetically engineered mouse models that mirror human SMARCA4-deficient lung adenocarcinoma to study tumor behavior. They will apply newer drugs called PROTAC degraders to selectively remove SMARCA2 and observe effects on tumor growth, spread, and survival. Molecular tests including ATAC-seq will measure changes in chromatin accessibility and gene regulation after SMARCA2 loss. The team will combine tumor measurements and molecular data to understand whether SMARCA2 targeting can selectively harm cancer cells while sparing normal tissue.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this line of work could lead to a new targeted therapy for patients with SMARCA4-deficient lung adenocarcinoma that slows tumor growth and improves outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Cell-based experiments and early drug-development work suggest SMARCA2 inhibition can kill SMARCA4-deficient cancer cells, but robust in vivo proof and clinical evidence remain limited.
Where this research is happening
-
Columbia University Health Sciences
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Concepcion, Carla P — Columbia University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Concepcion, Carla P
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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.