NIH-funded research Fellowship grant

Understanding how genetic differences affect heart responses to cancer drugs

Official title: Single-Cell RNA Sequencing of Cardiac Organoids to Determine the Genetic Basis for Cell-Specific Responses to Anticancer Drugs

Funded at University of Chicago · NIH-11062344 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is looking at how our genes affect how our hearts react to certain cancer treatments, which can sometimes harm the heart, and it's for cancer patients who want to understand how their unique genetics might change their treatment experience.

Quick facts

Grant typeFellowship grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Chicago
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Chicago, United States)
Project startSeptember 30, 2023
Project endSeptember 29, 2026
Funding year2024
Award (this year)$48,974
NIH project number5F31HL168912-02
Project IDNIH-11062344 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Ideal candidates for this research are cancer patients who are undergoing treatment with drugs known to cause cardiovascular toxicity.

Less likely to help

Patients who are not currently receiving anticancer treatments or those without cardiovascular concerns may not benefit from this research.

What this research studies

This research investigates how genetic variations influence the heart's response to anticancer drugs, which can cause cardiovascular toxicity in patients. By using advanced single-cell RNA sequencing techniques, the study aims to analyze multiple cardiac cell types from a diverse group of individuals. This approach will help identify specific genetic factors that contribute to varying responses to drugs like doxorubicin and 5-fluorouracil. Ultimately, the goal is to improve treatment protocols for cancer patients by understanding their unique genetic backgrounds.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to personalized cancer treatment strategies that minimize cardiovascular side effects for patients.

How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that understanding genetic factors can significantly improve treatment outcomes in various medical fields, suggesting a promising avenue for this approach.

Where this research is happening

  • University of Chicago
    Chicago, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Mcintire, Erik — University of Chicago
  • Study coordinator: Mcintire, Erik

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

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.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 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.