Thromboxane Receptor: a new target to reduce radiation lung scarring
Official title: The Thromboxane-Prostanoid Receptor in Radiation-Induced Pulmonary Fibrosis
Funded at Vanderbilt University Medical Center · NIH-11398095 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Aims to see if blocking a specific receptor in the lungs can reduce scarring after chest radiation in patients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Vanderbilt University Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Nashville, United States) |
| Project start | August 22, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $725,891 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA276352-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11398095 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are patients with thoracic cancer undergoing radiotherapy who are at risk for or developing radiation-induced lung fibrosis.
✕Less likely to help
Patients whose fibrosis is driven by mechanisms other than TP receptor signaling may see limited benefit.
What this research studies
This project looks at how a receptor called thromboxane-prostanoid (TPR) drives lung fibrosis after radiation. Researchers found TPR is active in fibrotic lung cells and blocking it reduced scarring in mouse models, including radiation- and bleomycin-induced injury. The work suggests a non-wasteful, drug-target approach by focusing on a molecule produced during oxidative stress. If successful, this could lead to therapies that limit progressive lung fibrosis after thoracic radiotherapy.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Potentially a new treatment approach to prevent or lessen radiation-induced lung fibrosis in patients receiving chest radiotherapy.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies in mice show that inhibiting TP receptor signaling attenuates fibrosis, supporting potential translation to humans.
Where this research is happening
-
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Nashville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: West, James D — Vanderbilt University Medical Center
- Study coordinator: West, James D
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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.