Why small cell lung cancer survives DNA replication stress
Mechanisms of Replication Stress Tolerance in SCLC
This project looks for the molecular tricks small cell lung cancer (SCLC) uses to tolerate DNA damage so new treatments can help people whose tumors resist chemotherapy.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P01 program project |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | New York University School of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11171388 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project studies SCLC cells to map the pathways that let tumors survive high levels of DNA replication stress. Researchers will use lab-grown SCLC cell lines and experimental models to identify replication stress response pathways (including CHK1-related signaling) that protect cancer cells. They will test how these pathways contribute to chemotherapy resistance and search for weaknesses that drugs might exploit. The goal is to point toward targeted approaches that could overcome relapse and chemo-resistance in SCLC.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are people with small cell lung cancer, especially those with relapsed or chemotherapy-resistant disease who may benefit from new targeted treatments in the future.
Not a fit: People without SCLC (for example, other lung cancer types) or whose tumors do not rely on the identified replication-stress pathways are unlikely to benefit directly from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could reveal new drug targets that make resistant SCLC tumors more sensitive to existing or novel therapies.
How similar studies have performed: Preclinical work targeting replication stress pathways (such as CHK1 inhibitors) has shown promise in lab models, but translating these findings into effective SCLC treatments has been difficult so far.
Where this research is happening
New York, United States
- New York University School of Medicine — New York, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Huang, Tony Tung — New York University School of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Huang, Tony Tung
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.