Understanding how metabolism affects survival of cancer persister cells
Unraveling the Connection: How Metabolism Shapes Mammalian Persister Survival
This study is looking at how certain tough cancer cells survive chemotherapy and what happens to their energy processes, with the hope of finding better ways to treat cancer and prevent it from coming back.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Houston NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11127216 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates the role of metabolism in the survival of persister cells within tumors, which are a small group of cells that can tolerate chemotherapy and contribute to cancer recurrence. The study aims to uncover how these cells enter and exit a dormant state, focusing on their metabolic processes. By employing various techniques such as proteomics, metabolomics, and fluorescence microscopy, researchers will analyze the metabolic changes in these cells when exposed to chemotherapeutic agents. This could lead to a better understanding of how to target these resilient cells to improve cancer treatment outcomes.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are patients with tumors that have shown resistance to chemotherapy or have a history of cancer recurrence.
Not a fit: Patients with early-stage cancers that have not yet undergone chemotherapy may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for preventing cancer recurrence by targeting persister cells more effectively.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the metabolic characteristics of cancer cells, but this specific focus on persister cells is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
Houston, United States
- University of Houston — Houston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Orman, Mehmet a. — University of Houston
- Study coordinator: Orman, Mehmet a.
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 below.