Understanding how IFNε affects lung cancer driven by KRAS mutations
Official title: Elucidate the role and mechanism of IFNε in Kras-driven lung tumorigenesis
Funded at Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences · NIH-11111030 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at a protein called IFNε to see how it affects lung cancer caused by KRAS gene mutations, with the goal of finding new ways to help patients with non-small cell lung cancer feel better and improve their treatment options.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Newark, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | February 21, 2025 |
| Project end | January 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $220,193 |
| NIH project number | 1R21CA288674-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11111030 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with KRAS-mutated non-small cell lung cancer, particularly those with concurrent LKB1 or TP53 mutations.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with lung cancer that does not involve KRAS mutations or those with early-stage disease may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the role of a specific protein, IFNε, in lung cancer that is driven by mutations in the KRAS gene. It aims to understand how IFNε contributes to tumor growth and the immune response in the lungs, particularly in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The researchers will analyze tissue samples and conduct experiments to explore the mechanisms by which IFNε influences cancer progression and patient outcomes. By identifying how this protein functions, the study seeks to uncover new therapeutic targets for improving treatment options for affected patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatment strategies that improve survival rates for patients with KRAS-mutated lung cancer.
How similar studies have gone: While the role of conventional type I interferons in cancer has been studied, the specific investigation of IFNε in lung cancer is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested.
Where this research is happening
-
Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences
Newark, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Guo, Yanxiang — Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Guo, Yanxiang
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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.