Using telomerase blockers to overcome resistance to advanced EGFR drugs in lung cancer
Targeting hTERT/telomerase for managing acquired resistance to third generation EGFR-TKIs in lung cancer
This work tests whether targeting telomerase (hTERT) can help people with EGFR‑mutant lung cancer whose tumors stop responding to third‑generation EGFR drugs like osimertinib.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Emory University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Atlanta, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11301895 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers at Emory will study how telomerase (hTERT) changes in EGFR‑mutant non‑small cell lung cancer after treatment with third‑generation EGFR inhibitors. They will use lab-grown tumor cells and patient-derived samples to model acquired drug resistance and test whether blocking telomerase can restore drug sensitivity. The team will try combinations of telomerase‑targeting approaches with EGFR inhibitors to find strategies that stop or reverse resistance. Promising lab results could lead to early human testing or new treatment approaches for patients with resistant tumors.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults with EGFR‑mutant non‑small cell lung cancer whose tumors have developed resistance to third‑generation EGFR inhibitors such as osimertinib are the primary group who could benefit.
Not a fit: People without EGFR mutations, with other cancer types, or whose tumors have resistance mechanisms unrelated to hTERT/telomerase are unlikely to benefit from these specific findings.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could lead to new combination treatments that restore or extend responses to EGFR drugs in patients with EGFR‑mutant lung cancer.
How similar studies have performed: Telomerase inhibitors have shown promise in preclinical models and limited early‑phase trials for some cancers, but using them specifically to reverse EGFR‑TKI resistance is a newer, largely preclinical approach.
Where this research is happening
Atlanta, United States
- Emory University — Atlanta, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sun, Shi-Yong — Emory University
- Study coordinator: Sun, Shi-Yong
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 below.