Understanding how a protein called FAK helps liver cancer grow
Molecular mechanisms of focal adhesion kinase in promoting hepatocarcinogenesis
This research looks at how a protein called FAK contributes to liver cancer growth, hoping to find new ways to treat this serious disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Loyola University Chicago NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Maywood, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11003352 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Liver cancer, or hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), is a very serious disease with limited treatment options, and new approaches are urgently needed. This project focuses on a protein called FAK, which has been found to be overly active in many liver cancer cases. Researchers are working to understand exactly how FAK helps liver cancer grow and whether blocking its activity could lead to more effective treatments. They also want to find out if targeting FAK can make existing therapies work better and how to prevent cancer cells from becoming resistant to FAK-blocking drugs.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Patients with hepatocellular carcinoma, especially those whose tumors show high levels of the FAK protein, might eventually benefit from therapies developed through this research.
Not a fit: Patients with other types of cancer or those whose liver cancer does not involve the FAK protein may not directly benefit from this specific line of research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new and more effective treatments for hepatocellular carcinoma, potentially improving patient survival and quality of life.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown promising results with FAK as a target in liver cancer models, providing a strong basis for this continued investigation.
Where this research is happening
Maywood, United States
- Loyola University Chicago — Maywood, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Qiu, Wei — Loyola University Chicago
- Study coordinator: Qiu, Wei
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.