Understanding Protein Sugars to Improve Cancer Care

Chemical Glycoproteomics

NIH-funded research Stanford University · NIH-11099926

This research is developing new ways to study the sugar coatings on proteins called mucins, which are important for understanding and treating cancer.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionStanford University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Stanford, United States)
Project IDNIH-11099926 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

Our bodies have proteins called mucins that are covered in complex sugar structures, and these sugars play a role in how cells behave. When these mucin sugars change, it's often linked to cancer growing and spreading. Currently, we can only get a basic idea of these changes, which isn't detailed enough for the best diagnosis or treatment. This project is creating advanced laboratory techniques to get a much clearer picture of these mucin sugars, aiming to uncover new ways to detect cancer earlier and develop more effective therapies.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: This foundational research is for patients with various types of cancer, as it aims to improve future diagnostic tools and therapies.

Not a fit: Patients will not receive direct benefit from participating in this laboratory-based method development research at this time.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to more accurate ways to diagnose cancer and identify new targets for cancer treatments.

How similar studies have performed: This project is developing novel mass spectrometry-based methods, building on previous successes in understanding enzymes involved in mucin glycosylation.

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.
Conditions Cancer GenesCancer TreatmentCancer-Promoting Gene
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 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.