Understanding the genes behind leiomyosarcoma to improve diagnosis and treatment
Official title: Genetics and Genomics of Leiomyosarcoma (LMS): Improved understanding of cancer biology and new approaches to diagnosis and treatment
Funded at University of Michigan at Ann Arbor · NIH-11193247 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at how inherited and tumor gene changes, especially TP53 and other DNA repair genes, affect people with leiomyosarcoma to help create better tests and therapies.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Michigan at Ann Arbor NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Ann Arbor, United States) |
| Project start | September 16, 2022 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $1,890,694 |
| NIH project number | 5P50CA272170-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11193247 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People diagnosed with leiomyosarcoma — especially uterine LMS, Black American patients, and older adults who are frequently affected — or those willing to donate tumor tissue or blood are ideal candidates.
✕Less likely to help
People without leiomyosarcoma or those seeking immediate therapeutic benefit should not expect direct help from this primarily genomic and translational research program.
What this research studies
This project brings together sarcoma doctors, geneticists, and epidemiologists to learn how gene changes drive leiomyosarcoma. Researchers will analyze tumor and blood DNA from patients, with a focus on TP53 and DNA repair genes, and link those findings to clinical information. The work combines lab experiments, genomic sequencing, and review of patient records, and may invite patients to provide tumor tissue or blood samples. The goal is to turn genetic discoveries into new diagnostic tools and treatment options that can be tested in clinics.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the project could lead to genetic tests and new targeted approaches that improve diagnosis, treatment options, and quality of life for people with leiomyosarcoma.
How similar studies have gone: Genomic studies in sarcomas have identified important driver mutations before, but translating these findings into standard diagnostics and effective targeted treatments for leiomyosarcoma is still emerging.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Schuetze, Scott Michael — University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
- Study coordinator: Schuetze, Scott Michael
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Leiomyosarcoma treatment insights from tumor genetics
A study looks at how tumor genetics relate to how leiomyosarcoma patients respond to standard systemic therapies.
-
Genomic vulnerabilities in leiomyosarcoma: targeting DNA-PK pathways
This grant aims to find targeted ways to treat leiomyosarcoma by exploiting the tumor’s DNA repair weaknesses and testing biomarkers that may guide therapy.
-
Genetics and Genomics of Leiomyosarcoma: better understanding and new options for diagnosis and treatment
A large research program is exploring the genetic drivers of leiomyosarcoma to help develop better ways to diagnose and treat this cancer.
-
Targeting DNA repair weaknesses in leiomyosarcoma
This project tests drugs that block a DNA-repair enzyme to make leiomyosarcoma tumors more sensitive to treatment for people with metastatic LMS.
-
Developing a new mouse model for a rare type of uterine cancer
This study is creating special mice that have a type of uterine cancer called leiomyosarcoma, so researchers can learn more about the disease and find better treatments for people who have it.
-
Understanding genetic weaknesses in leiomyosarcoma
This study is looking at leiomyosarcoma, a tough type of cancer, to understand how certain genetic changes can affect how it responds to treatment, with the goal of finding better ways to target and treat this cancer for patients like you.
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.