Understanding how cancer cells use pyrimidines for growth and therapy response

Functional Relevance of Pyrimidine Sensing and Response Pathways in Tumor Metabolism and Cancer Therapy

NIH-funded research New York University School of Medicine · NIH-11091675

This study is looking at how cancer cells use certain nutrients to grow and respond to treatments, with the goal of finding new ways to target those cancer cells more effectively while keeping healthy cells safe, which could lead to better treatments with fewer side effects for patients.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionNew York University School of Medicine NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (New York, United States)
Project IDNIH-11091675 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates the role of pyrimidine metabolism in cancer cells and how it affects their growth and response to treatment. By exploring the mechanisms that cancer cells use to sense and respond to pyrimidine levels, the study aims to develop strategies that can selectively target cancer cells while minimizing harm to normal and immune cells. The researchers will engineer specific enzymes and assess their impact on cancer cell sensitivity to existing anti-cancer drugs. This approach could lead to more effective therapies with fewer side effects for patients.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are patients with cancers that are sensitive to pyrimidine metabolism alterations.

Not a fit: Patients with non-cancerous conditions or those whose cancers do not involve pyrimidine metabolism may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective cancer treatments that specifically target tumor cells while protecting healthy cells.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promising results in targeting nucleotide metabolism in cancer therapy, indicating potential for success in this approach.

Where this research is happening

New York, 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 anti-cancerAnti-Cancer Agentsanti-cancer druganti-cancer therapy
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.