Understanding the STIM/Orai Calcium Signaling Pathway in Cancer
Official title: The Molecular Basis of the STIM/Orai Signaling Pathway
Funded at Pennsylvania State Univ Hershey Med Ctr · NIH-11619481 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are studying how STIM and Orai proteins control calcium signals inside cells and how this affects cancer-related growth and remodeling, with hopes to find ways to influence these signals for better treatments.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Pennsylvania State Univ Hershey Med Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Hershey, United States) |
| Project start | September 10, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $154,402 |
| NIH project number | 3R35GM153379-03S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11619481 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with cancers or fibrotic conditions where STIM/Orai signaling may play a role could benefit from future therapies developed from this research.
✕Less likely to help
The immediate study does not involve patient participation; potential benefits would come in the form of future treatments developed from the findings.
What this research studies
This project investigates how calcium signals are generated and controlled by STIM sensors in the ER and Orai channels on the cell surface, and how these interactions influence cellular behavior relevant to cancer. It aims to uncover exactly how different STIM and Orai variants interact to produce specific calcium signals, and how these signals contribute to tumor growth and tissue remodeling. By understanding these mechanisms, scientists hope to develop pharmacological tools that can modify calcium signaling to potentially slow cancer progression and fibrosis. The work combines molecular studies, cellular models, and disease-relevant contexts to connect basic biology with potential therapeutic applications.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Gaining fundamental insight into calcium signaling could lead to new ways to treat cancers and fibrotic diseases by targeting STIM/Orai pathways.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown that manipulating STIM/Orai signaling can alter calcium dynamics and affect cellular remodeling in disease models, supporting the potential of this approach.
Where this research is happening
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Pennsylvania State Univ Hershey Med Ctr
Hershey, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zhou, Yandong — Pennsylvania State Univ Hershey Med Ctr
- Study coordinator: Zhou, Yandong
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.