Understanding how tumor variety affects bile duct cancer (iCCA)
Official title: Defining the Impact of Tumor Heterogeneity in Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma
Funded at University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr · NIH-11281627 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers will study how differences within a single tumor and between primary and metastatic sites influence disease progression and treatment response in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, using human samples and mouse models.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 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 | June 1, 2026 |
| Project end | May 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $420,399 |
| NIH project number | 1R21CA292213-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11281627 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma whose tumor samples are available for genomic and transcriptomic analysis.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without access to tumor samples or those not contributing to translational tissue studies may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
This project aims to map the genetic and molecular diversity inside iCCA tumors and compare primary tumors with metastases. It will analyze genome and spatial transcriptome data to understand how subclones evolve and relate to therapy resistance. The team will also test how intratumor heterogeneity affects drug sensitivity in new mouse models that mimic human iCCA, guiding future treatment strategies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal why iCCA tumors resist therapy and help tailor treatments to different tumor subtypes within a patient.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies show that tumor heterogeneity influences treatment outcomes in other cancers, supporting the potential for similar insights in iCCA.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr
Houston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Chun, Yun Shin — University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr
- Study coordinator: Chun, Yun Shin
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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A new mouse model to study intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma and its immunotherapy
A new mouse model helps researchers understand intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma and test immune-based treatments to improve outcomes.
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Radiation plus a patient’s own immune cells to boost cholangiocarcinoma treatment
This project tests a therapy that combines precise radiation and the patient’s own dendritic cells with immune drugs to help fight intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma in people who cannot have surgery.
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New mouse model to improve immune therapy for intrahepatic bile duct (cholangiocarcinoma) cancer
This project builds a new mouse model to help make immune-based treatments work better for people with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, a type of bile duct liver cancer.
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Using radiation and your own immune cells to boost immunotherapy for intrahepatic bile-duct (liver) cancer
This approach combines focused liver radiation, injections of your own dendritic immune cells, and two immune drugs to try to help people with unresectable intrahepatic bile-duct cancer live longer without the disease getting worse.
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Noninvasive methods to identify mutations in liver cancer
This study is looking for better ways to diagnose a type of liver cancer called intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA) by using noninvasive methods to check for important genetic changes, which can help doctors choose the best treatment for patients.
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Finding new treatments for bile duct cancer
This study is looking at bile duct cancer to find specific markers in the genes and proteins that could help create better treatments for patients, making it easier to fight this tough disease.
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.