Understanding how cancer cells survive under stress
Official title: Okazaki fragment maturation: mutagenesis and cell survival
Funded at Beckman Research Institute/city of Hope · NIH-11056091 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how cancer cells cope when they’re under stress while trying to grow, focusing on a specific process that might help them survive and resist treatments like chemotherapy, with the hope of finding new ways to make those treatments more effective.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Beckman Research Institute/city of Hope NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Duarte, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2023 |
| Project end | March 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $547,800 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA279840-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11056091 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients with cancers that exhibit drug resistance or those undergoing chemotherapy.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with early-stage cancers that are easily treatable and do not exhibit drug resistance may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the mechanisms by which cancer cells manage to survive replication stress, a common challenge they face. It focuses on a specific pathway called Okazaki fragment maturation, which can lead to mutations that help cancer cells adapt and resist treatments like chemotherapy. By studying how these cells respond to stress, the research aims to uncover potential vulnerabilities that could be targeted in cancer therapies. The approach involves examining the genetic changes that occur in cancer cells under stress conditions, which may provide insights into their survival strategies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for overcoming drug resistance in cancer treatment.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that understanding cellular stress responses can lead to breakthroughs in cancer treatment, suggesting this approach has potential.
Where this research is happening
-
Beckman Research Institute/city of Hope
Duarte, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Shen, Binghui — Beckman Research Institute/city of Hope
- Study coordinator: Shen, Binghui
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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.