Triggering ferroptosis to fight bladder cancer
Ferroptosis, Cellular Metabolism, and Cancer
Researchers are finding ways to make bladder and other cancer cells die by targeting iron-driven damage and tumor metabolism.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Sloan-Kettering Inst Can Research NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11166469 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project studies ferroptosis, a form of cell death caused by iron-dependent damage to fats, and how cancer cell metabolism controls it. The team uses genetic CRISPR activation screens, laboratory models, and analysis of human tumor data to find enzymes and pathways that block or permit ferroptosis. They have identified lipid-modifying enzymes such as MBOAT2 and cancer signaling routes (like PI3K-AKT and Hippo-YAP) that influence ferroptosis and seem linked to worse outcomes. The goal is to identify targets and biomarkers that could lead to new treatments or tests for bladder and other cancers.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are people with bladder cancer or other tumors showing metabolic changes or high levels of enzymes such as MBOAT2.
Not a fit: People without bladder or related cancers, or those seeking immediate clinical treatment, are unlikely to benefit directly from this laboratory-focused work right now.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new drugs or tests that make bladder tumors more likely to die or help predict patient prognosis.
How similar studies have performed: Preclinical studies, including work from this group, show ferroptosis can kill cancer cells in the lab and in animals, but translating this into patient therapies is still early and experimental.
Where this research is happening
New York, United States
- Sloan-Kettering Inst Can Research — New York, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Jiang, Xuejun — Sloan-Kettering Inst Can Research
- Study coordinator: Jiang, Xuejun
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.