Understanding and targeting how cancer cells divide

Core A: Determining and targeting mechanisms controlling cancer cell division

NIH-funded research Stanford University · NIH-11294273

Researchers are looking at proteins that control how cancer cells divide to develop new ways to stop tumors from growing.

Quick facts

Grant typeP01 program project
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionStanford University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Stanford, United States)
Project IDNIH-11294273 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This program focuses on the Rb pathway and related proteins (like Cyclin D-Cdk4/6 and E2F) that tell cells when to divide. Three linked projects and shared cores at Stanford will use laboratory models and patient-derived samples to map how changes in these proteins drive cancer. The Administrative Core coordinates teams, shares data, and helps move lab findings toward possible therapies. The combined work aims to reveal specific molecular steps that could be targeted by new drugs to slow or stop tumor growth.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: People with cancers known or suspected to involve Rb-pathway changes could be candidates to donate samples now or join future clinical trials based on these findings.

Not a fit: Patients with cancers driven by unrelated biology or those needing immediate treatment are unlikely to gain direct, short-term benefit from this basic research core.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the work could identify new targets or strategies to stop cancer cells from dividing, leading to better treatments for many tumor types.

How similar studies have performed: Related efforts have produced successful CDK4/6 inhibitor drugs in some cancers, but many Rb-pathway mechanisms this program targets remain less tested.

Where this research is happening

Stanford, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions Cancer ControlCancer Control ScienceCancer GenesCancer Suppressor GenesCancer-Promoting Gene
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.