Understanding how small cell lung cancer spreads and resists treatment
Official title: Inter-metastatic divergency in small cell lung cancer; implications for the design of future immunotherapies
Funded at Duke University · NIH-10896914 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how small cell lung cancer can act differently in various parts of the body and why it sometimes doesn't respond to treatments, with the goal of finding better ways to help patients through the use of donated tumor samples.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Duke University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Durham, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $367,057 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA278907-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10896914 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with small cell lung cancer who are willing to donate their tumor tissues for study.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with early-stage small cell lung cancer or those who are not undergoing treatment may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the complexities of small cell lung cancer (SCLC) by examining how different tumor sites within the body can behave differently and resist treatment. The team will utilize a unique Rapid Tissue Donation program, allowing them to study tissues from patients who have donated their tumors. By analyzing these samples and using specific models, the researchers aim to uncover the reasons behind the cancer's resistance to immunotherapy and develop new treatment strategies. This work focuses on the immune system's response to the cancer and how it can be improved.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective immunotherapies for patients with small cell lung cancer.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in understanding tumor heterogeneity and its impact on treatment resistance, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Duke University
Durham, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Conejo-Garcia, Jose R — Duke University
- Study coordinator: Conejo-Garcia, Jose R
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
ABL kinase signaling and DNA collisions in small cell lung cancer
A drug target study in small cell lung cancer explores how blocking ABL kinase affects conflicts between transcription and DNA replication, which could influence tumor growth and survival.
-
XRN1 as a potential therapy target in lung cancer
A scientist-led program will study a cellular gene called XRN1 to see if turning it off can help treat non-small cell lung cancer.
-
Intermittent fasting with PD-1 inhibitors for non-small cell lung cancer
This grant tests whether a fasting-mimicking diet can boost the effectiveness of PD-1 inhibitors for people with non-small cell lung cancer.
-
Targeting STRAP to curb NSCLC spread with nanoparticle therapy
Aimed at non-small cell lung cancer, this grant tests how blocking a protein called STRAP with nanoparticles could slow cancer spread and make chemotherapy work better.
-
Modeling tumor differences to guide new treatments for resistant small cell lung cancer
A study aims to understand why some small cell lung cancer tumors resist treatment and use those insights to develop new targeted therapies.
-
TP53-mutant NSCLC: how epigenetic viral mimicry could boost immune therapy
A research grant exploring how p53 mutations in non-small cell lung cancer affect responses to a viral mimicry-based epigenetic therapy, with the goal of improving immune therapy outcomes for patients.
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.