Understanding the genetic differences in osteosarcoma to improve treatment options
Official title: Epigenetic analysis of osteosarcoma to define subclasses relevant to chemoresistance and metastasis
Funded at University of California, San Francisco · NIH-11133588 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at different types of osteosarcoma, a bone cancer that mostly affects kids and young adults, to find out how their genes work and how they might respond to treatments, so we can create better, more personalized therapies for patients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Francisco NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2025 |
| Project end | March 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $540,090 |
| NIH project number | 1R01CA292790-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11133588 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include children and young adults diagnosed with osteosarcoma, particularly those who have not responded well to standard chemotherapy.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with osteosarcoma who are not eligible for experimental treatments or those with advanced disease that has metastasized may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates osteosarcoma, a complex bone cancer primarily affecting children and young adults, by analyzing its genetic and epigenetic characteristics. The team aims to identify distinct subtypes of the disease that may respond differently to treatments, using advanced techniques like ATAC sequencing and CRISPR screens. By uncovering these subtypes and their vulnerabilities, the research seeks to develop more targeted and effective therapies, moving away from the current one-size-fits-all approach to treatment.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more personalized and effective treatment options for osteosarcoma patients, potentially improving survival rates and reducing the side effects of chemotherapy.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using epigenetic approaches to classify cancers and identify treatment vulnerabilities, suggesting that this methodology could be effective for osteosarcoma as well.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Francisco
San Francisco, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sweet-Cordero, Eric Alejandro — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Sweet-Cordero, Eric Alejandro
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Focal Adhesion Kinase inhibitor to block osteosarcoma spread to the lungs
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Epigenetic subtypes of osteosarcoma linked to chemo resistance and spread
This project looks for different molecular subtypes of osteosarcoma in children and young adults to understand why some tumors resist chemotherapy or spread.
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Stopping Osteosarcoma from Spreading
This project looks for new ways to stop osteosarcoma, a type of bone cancer common in young people, from spreading to other parts of the body.
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Understanding how osteosarcoma spreads to the lungs
This study is looking at how bone cancer, called osteosarcoma, spreads to the lungs, and it aims to find new ways to stop this from happening, which could help patients get better treatments for their cancer.
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Targeting a protein to stop the spread of bone cancer in young people
This study is exploring how a protein called DKK-1 affects the spread of osteosarcoma, a type of bone cancer that often affects teens and young adults, and aims to find a new treatment that could help stop the cancer from spreading, inviting patients to join in by sharing their blood or tumor samples.
-
Lymph node metastasis and immune tolerance in head and neck cancer
A study in people with head and neck cancer looks at how cancer spread to lymph nodes may shape the immune system and help tumors grow.
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.