Understanding how cancer cells grow without a key control
Deciphering the mechanism of non-canonical cell cycle entry
This research aims to discover how certain cancer cells can multiply even when a common growth pathway is blocked, which could lead to new ways to stop their spread.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Columbia University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11146626 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Our bodies' cells normally follow a strict cycle for growth and division, controlled by proteins like CDK4/6, and cancer often starts when this control goes wrong. While many cancer treatments target CDK4/6 to stop cell growth, some cancer cells find a different, 'non-canonical' way to keep growing. This project uses advanced single-cell methods and live-cell sensors to uncover the exact steps these cancer cells take to bypass the usual controls. By understanding this alternative growth pathway, we hope to find new weaknesses in cancer cells that can be targeted with future therapies.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This foundational research is relevant to patients with various types of cancer where cells may develop resistance to standard treatments by using alternative growth pathways.
Not a fit: Patients whose cancer cells strictly rely on the canonical CDK4/6 pathway for growth may not directly benefit from discoveries related to the non-canonical pathway.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to the development of new treatments for cancers that are resistant to current CDK4/6 inhibitor therapies.
How similar studies have performed: While CDK4/6 inhibitors have shown success in many cancers, the mechanisms of non-canonical cell cycle entry are still largely unknown, making this a novel and critical area of investigation.
Where this research is happening
New York, United States
- Columbia University Health Sciences — New York, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Yang, Hee Won — Columbia University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Yang, Hee Won
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.