Understanding Mortalin's Role in Thyroid Cancer
Official title: The Role of Mortalin in Thyroid Cancer
Funded at Medical College of Wisconsin · NIH-11146416 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project explores how a protein called mortalin helps thyroid cancer grow, hoping to find new ways to stop it.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Medical College of Wisconsin NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Milwaukee, United States) |
| Project start | July 10, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $431,406 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA269452-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11146416 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
This foundational research does not directly involve patient participation at this stage, but future clinical applications would target individuals with thyroid cancer.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without thyroid cancer would not directly benefit from this specific research.
What this research studies
Our bodies have a protein called mortalin, and in thyroid cancer, it seems to help cancer cells survive by protecting them from stress. This project aims to uncover exactly how mortalin becomes more active in thyroid cancer cells and how it influences their energy and growth. We believe that if we can understand this protective mechanism, we might be able to develop new treatments that specifically target mortalin, making cancer cells vulnerable and leading to their death. This could offer a fresh approach to fighting thyroid cancer.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new targeted therapies that make thyroid cancer cells more vulnerable and easier to treat.
How similar studies have gone: While previous work has shown mortalin's role in tumor cell survival, this project explores its specific mechanisms in thyroid cancer and its potential as a therapeutic target, which is a novel approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Medical College of Wisconsin
Milwaukee, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Park, Jong-in — Medical College of Wisconsin
- Study coordinator: Park, Jong-in
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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.