Understanding how mTOR signaling affects cancer growth and treatment resistance
Signal Transduction by PI3K/mTOR
This study is looking at how certain signals inside cells, which can go awry in cancers like oral squamous cell carcinoma, affect tumor growth and how well treatments work, with the hope of finding better ways to fight cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Diego NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11046592 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates the molecular and cellular mechanisms of mTOR signaling, particularly how it is spatially regulated within cells. By focusing on the PI3K/mTOR pathway, which is often disrupted in cancers like oral squamous cell carcinoma, the project aims to uncover how different parts of this signaling pathway contribute to tumor growth and resistance to therapies. The research employs advanced techniques to analyze the behavior of these signaling molecules in various cellular environments, which could lead to new insights into cancer treatment strategies.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with oral squamous cell carcinoma or other cancers where the PI3K/mTOR pathway is known to be dysregulated.
Not a fit: Patients with cancers unrelated to the PI3K/mTOR signaling pathway may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective cancer therapies by targeting the specific mechanisms that allow tumors to grow and resist treatment.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promising results in targeting the PI3K/mTOR pathway in cancer treatment, indicating that this approach has potential for success.
Where this research is happening
La Jolla, United States
- University of California, San Diego — La Jolla, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zhang, Jin — University of California, San Diego
- Study coordinator: Zhang, Jin
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.