Understanding how the CD24 helper molecule affects early lung cancer and response to KRAS therapies
Official title: Elucidating roles of the CD24 ligand in early lung cancer development, immune evasion and response to KRAS-targeted therapy
Funded at University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr · NIH-11317439 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study aims to learn how the CD24 molecule on lung cells influences early lung cancer development, how cancer cells escape the immune system, and how KRAS-targeted therapies might work better when CD24 is involved.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2026 |
| Project end | June 30, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $669,540 |
| NIH project number | 1R01CA301423-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11317439 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with early-stage KM-LUAD or premalignant lung lesions, and those whose tumors show high CD24 activity.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without KM-LUAD or without CD24 involvement may not benefit from these specific strategies.
What this research studies
This project looks at early lung adenocarcinoma driven by KRAS mutations and how CD24 on cancer and nearby cells helps the tumor grow and hide from the immune system. Researchers will examine human lung tissue samples and related models to map how CD24 interacts with immune cells and influences treatment response. The work will test whether blocking CD24 can boost anti-tumor immunity and improve the effectiveness of KRAS-targeted drugs in early disease. Outcomes could guide new combination strategies for patients with KM-LUAD to prevent progression and resistance. The focus is on human-relevant biology with potential to translate findings into clinical strategies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients with KRAS-mutant early lung cancer could benefit from therapies that are more effective and less likely to fail due to immune evasion or resistance.
How similar studies have gone: Preliminary data suggest CD24 influences tumor growth and anti-tumor immunity in KM-LUAD, supporting further investigation.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr
Houston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kadara, Humam — University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr
- Study coordinator: Kadara, Humam
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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.