NIH-funded research Career grant

Understanding highly adaptable cancer cells in lung adenocarcinoma

Official title: Determining the role and function of a high plasticity cell state in lung adenocarcinoma

Funded at Sloan-Kettering Inst Can Research · NIH-11138420 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This work explores how certain highly adaptable cancer cells contribute to lung adenocarcinoma growth and resistance to treatments.

More Adenocarcinoma research and trials

Quick facts

Grant typeCareer grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionSloan-Kettering Inst Can Research
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (New York, United States)
Project startAugust 22, 2022
Project endJuly 31, 2027
Funding year2025
Award (this year)$249,526
NIH project number5K08CA267072-04
Project IDNIH-11138420 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

This foundational work focuses on understanding cancer biology and does not currently involve direct patient participation, but future clinical applications would target patients with lung adenocarcinoma.

Less likely to help

Patients whose cancer does not involve this specific type of highly adaptable cell state may not directly benefit from therapies developed from this particular line of research.

What this research studies

We are learning about special cancer cells in lung adenocarcinoma that can change their characteristics, which helps tumors grow and resist therapy. Our team first found these adaptable cells in mouse lung tumors and then confirmed their presence in human lung adenocarcinoma samples. We believe these cells are key drivers of cancer progression and treatment failure. By understanding how these cells work, we hope to find new ways to fight lung cancer.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new treatment strategies that target these adaptable cancer cells, potentially improving outcomes for patients with lung adenocarcinoma.

How similar studies have gone: While the concept of tumor plasticity is recognized, this research aims to specifically define and target a newly identified high plasticity cell state in lung adenocarcinoma, representing a novel approach.

Where this research is happening

  • Sloan-Kettering Inst Can Research
    New York, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Chan, Jason Earl — Sloan-Kettering Inst Can Research
  • Study coordinator: Chan, Jason Earl

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

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.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 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.