Understanding how cancer-supportive tissue affects resistance to ALK and KRAS therapies
Official title: Project 2: Delta Stromal Ecology of NSCLC
Funded at H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Ctr & Res Inst · NIH-11416431 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A research team will study how the tumor’s surrounding tissue changes as cancer cells become resistant to ALK and KRAS-targeted treatments, aiming to find better combination strategies for long-lasting remission.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Ctr & Res Inst NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Tampa, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $343,788 |
| NIH project number | 5U54CA274507-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11416431 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Not yet recruiting; this is preclinical research using lab models to inform future patient trials.
✕Less likely to help
Patients currently receiving treatment may not directly benefit until findings are translated into clinical trials.
What this research studies
This project looks at both cancer cells and the surrounding stromal tissue to see how they change over time during therapy. Researchers will use multiple experimental models and computer simulations to track how cell growth, death, and clonal dynamics evolve as resistance develops. They will integrate lab data with in silico models to generate testable predictions and explore new treatment combinations. The goal is to identify strategies that prevent or delay resistance and sustain tumor control.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could lead to smarter combination therapies that keep tumors in remission longer.
How similar studies have gone: Other studies have shown that the tumor microenvironment influences treatment response, but this project seeks to formalize and predict those effects in a dynamic, system-level way.
Where this research is happening
-
H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Ctr & Res Inst
Tampa, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Marusyk, Andriy — H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Ctr & Res Inst
- Study coordinator: Marusyk, Andriy
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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.