Understanding how cancer cells adapt to stress

Systems Analysis of Stress-adapted Cancer Organelles (SASCO) Center

NIH-funded research University of Virginia · NIH-10903892

This study is looking at how cancer cells change their inner parts to handle stress from cancer-causing genes, with the hope of finding new ways to treat cancer by discovering their weaknesses.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Virginia NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Charlottesville, United States)
Project IDNIH-10903892 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates how cancer cells modify their internal structures, known as organelles, to cope with stress caused by oncogenes, which are genes that can lead to cancer. By combining advanced modeling techniques with experiments on cancer cell cultures and actual tumors, the project aims to identify critical pathways that allow these organelles to adapt. The goal is to uncover vulnerabilities in cancer cells that could be targeted for new treatments. A team of 14 experts in cancer biology and systems biology will collaborate on this project to explore these adaptations systematically.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with various types of cancer, particularly those with tumors influenced by oncogenes.

Not a fit: Patients with non-cancerous conditions or those whose tumors do not involve oncogene activation may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new therapeutic strategies that specifically target the vulnerabilities of cancer cells, improving treatment outcomes.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promise in understanding cancer cell adaptations, but this specific approach of integrating mechanistic modeling with experimental data is relatively novel.

Where this research is happening

Charlottesville, 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 Brain CancerBreast CancerCancer BiologyCancer GenesCancer Model
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.