Turning rhabdomyosarcoma cells into mature muscle to stop tumor growth
Reprogramming myogenic regulatory factors in RMS to promote differentiation and halt growth
Researchers will try to reprogram tumor cells in children and adults with rhabdomyosarcoma so they become mature muscle cells that stop dividing.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Colorado Denver NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Aurora, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-11314573 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You will hear that scientists are trying to understand why rhabdomyosarcoma cells keep high levels of muscle-making proteins yet fail to become normal muscle, and they plan to change how those proteins work so tumors mature instead of grow. The team will use patient tumor samples, lab-grown RMS cell lines, and animal models combined with genomic tools like ATAC-seq to map chromatin and guide reprogramming of myogenic factors (for example MYOD1 and MYOG). Their experiments will focus mainly on fusion-negative (embryonal) RMS and test genetic or epigenetic approaches to force differentiation. This is preclinical laboratory and animal research intended to create approaches that could lead to future patient treatments rather than offering immediate therapy.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Children and adults with embryonal (fusion-negative) rhabdomyosarcoma, particularly those with metastatic or treatment-resistant disease, would be the most relevant candidates for future trials based on this work.
Not a fit: Patients with fusion-positive RMS subtypes, other tumor types, tumors that do not express the key myogenic factors, or anyone seeking immediate treatment are unlikely to benefit directly from this preclinical grant.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could lead to therapies that make RMS tumors stop dividing by forcing them to mature into non-growing muscle cells and potentially reduce reliance on toxic chemotherapy.
How similar studies have performed: Differentiation-based therapies have worked in other cancers, but reprogramming myogenic regulatory factors in RMS is largely experimental and early-stage.
Where this research is happening
Aurora, UNITED STATES
- University of Colorado Denver — Aurora, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ford, Heide L. — University of Colorado Denver
- Study coordinator: Ford, Heide L.
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.