Understanding how metabolism changes in cancer
Human metabolic variation as a window into cancer initiation and progression
This project helps us understand how cancer cells use energy differently as they grow and spread, especially in advanced cancers.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Ut Southwestern Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Dallas, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11160720 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
We are learning about how cancer cells change their energy use as the disease progresses, which might be different in early versus advanced cancers. To do this, we give patients special labeled nutrients during surgery or biopsy. Then, we look at tumor samples to see how these nutrients are used and connect these findings to patient outcomes. This helps us find specific metabolic pathways that are important for cancer growth and spread, particularly in non-small cell lung cancer and clear cell renal cell carcinoma.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Patients undergoing tumor resection or biopsy for advanced non-small cell lung cancer or clear cell renal cell carcinoma may be ideal candidates for participation in studies related to this research.
Not a fit: Patients with early-stage cancers or those not undergoing tumor resection or biopsy would likely not directly benefit from this specific research approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new ways to target and treat advanced cancers by blocking specific energy pathways that fuel their growth and spread.
How similar studies have performed: This approach of directly studying human tumor metabolism with labeled nutrients is a novel method that has already identified metabolic properties linked to patient outcomes and suppressed metastasis in mouse models.
Where this research is happening
Dallas, United States
- Ut Southwestern Medical Center — Dallas, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Deberardinis, Ralph J — Ut Southwestern Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Deberardinis, Ralph J
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.