Understanding how beta-catenin affects treatment responses in liver cancer
Official title: Evaluation of treatment predictors reflecting beta-catenin activation in hepatocellular carcinoma
Funded at Queen's Medical Center · NIH-10693135 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a specific protein called beta-catenin affects liver cancer treatment and aims to find out which patients might respond best to a type of immunotherapy, so they can get the most benefit with fewer side effects.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Queen's Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Honolulu, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2021 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $586,680 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA262460-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10693135 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma who are considering immunotherapy options.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with early-stage liver cancer or those not eligible for immunotherapy may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the role of beta-catenin activation in liver cancer, specifically hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and how it influences patient responses to immunotherapy. By using advanced imaging techniques and liquid biopsies, the study aims to identify biomarkers that can predict which patients are likely to benefit from immune checkpoint inhibitors. The goal is to improve patient selection for these therapies, potentially leading to better outcomes and reduced adverse effects. Patients will be monitored through a phase 2 clinical trial to evaluate the effectiveness of these predictive tools.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more personalized treatment options for liver cancer patients, improving their chances of responding to therapy.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using biomarkers to predict treatment responses in cancer, suggesting that this approach could be effective.
Where this research is happening
-
Queen's Medical Center
Honolulu, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kwee, Sandi Alexander — Queen's Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Kwee, Sandi Alexander
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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.