Understanding how cancer evolves resistance to treatment using mathematical models.

Extending experimental evolutionary game theory in cancer in vivo to enable clinical translation: integrating spatio-temporal dynamics using mathematical modeling

NIH-funded research Cleveland Clinic Lerner Com-Cwru · NIH-11114668

This study is looking at how cancer can become resistant to certain treatments, especially a type called tyrosine kinase inhibitors, to help find better ways to treat cancer in the future.

Quick facts

Grant typeU01 cooperative agreement
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionCleveland Clinic Lerner Com-Cwru NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Cleveland, United States)
Project IDNIH-11114668 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates the evolutionary processes that lead to resistance in cancer treatments, particularly focusing on tyrosine kinase inhibitors. By employing mathematical modeling and experimental assays, the team aims to understand the dynamics of cancer evolution in a clinical context. The approach seeks to shift the focus from merely identifying mutations that confer resistance to studying the evolutionary mechanisms themselves. This could provide insights into more effective treatment strategies that could potentially overcome resistance.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are patients with cancers driven by activating mutations who are currently receiving or have received tyrosine kinase inhibitors.

Not a fit: Patients with cancers that do not involve tyrosine kinase mutations or those who are not undergoing targeted therapy may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective cancer treatments that prevent or overcome resistance, improving patient outcomes.

How similar studies have performed: While the theoretical modeling of cancer evolution has been explored, this specific approach integrating empirical biology with evolutionary game theory is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested.

Where this research is happening

Cleveland, 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 Cancer ModelCancer Treatment
Last reviewed 2026-06-15 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.