Understanding KRAS Gene Changes in Lung Cancer

Genetic dissection of oncogenic Kras signaling

NIH-funded research Stanford University · NIH-11112417

This project aims to understand how different changes in the KRAS gene drive lung cancer growth, hoping to find new ways to stop it.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionStanford University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Stanford, United States)
Project IDNIH-11112417 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

Lung cancer is a very serious disease, and changes in a gene called KRAS are often a major cause. Even though we've known about KRAS for a long time, finding effective treatments for KRAS-driven cancers has been challenging. This project uses advanced genetic tools, including CRISPR technology, to create and study different types of KRAS gene changes in models. By carefully looking at how these different KRAS changes affect cancer growth and its internal signals, we hope to uncover new weaknesses. Our goal is to gain a deeper understanding that can lead to better treatment options for patients with KRAS-mutated lung cancer.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: This foundational research is not directly recruiting patients but focuses on understanding the genetic drivers of lung cancer, particularly those with KRAS mutations.

Not a fit: Patients whose lung cancer is not driven by KRAS mutations may not directly benefit from the specific findings of this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this work could identify new targets for drugs or improve existing treatments for patients with lung cancer caused by specific KRAS gene changes.

How similar studies have performed: While the role of KRAS in cancer is well-established, this project uses novel CRISPR-based approaches to precisely dissect the effects of different KRAS variants, building on previous biochemical and clinical observations.

Where this research is happening

Stanford, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.