Understanding how cancer gene switches go wrong and drive tumor behavior
Official title: Investigating epigenetic mechanisms of cancer
Funded at Van Andel Research Institute · NIH-11401400 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This grant supports research to understand how epigenetic changes influence cancer development and treatment resistance in patients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Van Andel Research Institute NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Grand Rapids, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $204,106 |
| NIH project number | 5R50CA293837-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11401400 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are adults with cancer where epigenetic dysregulation plays a role and who are eligible for future translational studies or targeted therapies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients whose tumors do not exhibit epigenetic alterations relevant to the studied mechanisms may see no direct benefit.
What this research studies
Researchers study how changes in gene regulation inside cancer cells affect how tumors grow and respond to therapy. They will examine specific epigenetic mechanisms and how they interact with genetic changes to shape tumor behavior. The work builds on prior findings and aims to identify targets that could improve therapies for cancer patients. The project involves a clinician-scientist and biologists working together at a leading cancer center to translate basic insights into potential patient benefits.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could reveal new approaches to overcome therapy resistance and improve personalized cancer treatments.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has linked specific epigenetic changes to cancer progression and therapy response, supporting the potential for meaningful impact.
Where this research is happening
-
Van Andel Research Institute
Grand Rapids, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bennett, Richard L — Van Andel Research Institute
- Study coordinator: Bennett, Richard L
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.