Understanding how cancer cells resist targeted therapies that inhibit ribosome production
Official title: Translation Rewiring Underlines Drug Resistance to Lethal Targeted Ribosome Biogenesis Therapeutics in Cancer
Funded at Johns Hopkins University · NIH-11013350 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how cancer cells learn to resist treatments that target their growth, specifically focusing on a drug called BMH-21, and aims to find ways to make these treatments work better for patients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Johns Hopkins University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project start | February 1, 2024 |
| Project end | January 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $109,705 |
| NIH project number | 5K99CA279786-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11013350 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients with colorectal carcinoma or other cancers that may exhibit resistance to ribosome biogenesis inhibitors.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with cancers that do not involve ribosome biogenesis or those who are not undergoing treatment with targeted therapies may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how cancer cells develop resistance to therapies that target ribosome biogenesis, a crucial process for their growth. By using advanced techniques like CRISPR to identify genes involved in this resistance, the study aims to uncover the mechanisms that allow cancer cells to survive despite treatment. The focus is on a specific drug, BMH-21, which inhibits RNA polymerase I transcription, a key step in ribosome production. The findings could lead to new strategies to enhance the effectiveness of cancer therapies by overcoming resistance.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective cancer treatments that overcome drug resistance, improving patient outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in targeting ribosome biogenesis in cancer, indicating that this approach has potential for success.
Where this research is happening
-
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Fan, Wenjun — Johns Hopkins University
- Study coordinator: Fan, Wenjun
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.