Understanding how stress granules contribute to cancer development
Official title: Defining the role of stress granules in cancer initiation
Funded at Boston Children's Hospital · NIH-10996617 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how tiny structures in our cells that form when we're stressed might help start melanoma, a type of skin cancer, and it's using special zebrafish to see how changing these structures affects the growth of cancer from the very beginning.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Boston Children's Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $73,828 |
| NIH project number | 1F32CA294934-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10996617 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals at high risk for melanoma or those with early-stage melanoma.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with advanced melanoma or those not at risk for melanoma may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the role of stress granules, which are cellular structures that form under stress, in the initiation of melanoma, a type of skin cancer. Using a humanized zebrafish model, the study aims to visualize and manipulate tumor development from its earliest stages. The researchers will employ CRISPR technology to disrupt specific components of stress granules in melanoma precursor cells to see how this affects cancer progression. By understanding these mechanisms, the research hopes to uncover new insights into how cancer cells survive and thrive under stress.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for preventing or treating melanoma by targeting stress granule formation.
How similar studies have gone: While the role of stress granules in cancer is an emerging field, preliminary studies have shown promising results in understanding their impact on tumorigenesis.
Where this research is happening
-
Boston Children's Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Drake, Kyle David — Boston Children's Hospital
- Study coordinator: Drake, Kyle David
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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.