Why some bladder cancers don't respond to BCG treatment
Multi-scale analysis of Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) resistant tumor micro-environment in non-muscle invasive bladder cancer to identify novel therapeutic axis
This project will use detailed tissue and genetic tests to look for what makes some non-muscle invasive bladder cancers resist BCG so better treatments can be found for people who don't respond.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11322536 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will collect tumor tissue from people with non-muscle invasive bladder cancer before and after BCG treatment from patients who respond and those who do not. They will apply single-cell and spatial sequencing methods, including ATAC-seq, to map cell types, gene activity, and where cells sit in the tumor microenvironment. By building a comprehensive molecular atlas and comparing pre- and post-BCG samples, the team aims to identify the cellular signals and pathways linked to BCG resistance. Those molecular findings will be used to suggest new therapeutic targets or tests to predict who may not benefit from BCG.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are people with non-muscle invasive bladder cancer who have received or will receive intravesical BCG and can provide tumor tissue samples before and after treatment.
Not a fit: Patients without available tumor tissue, those with muscle-invasive bladder cancer, or those who have never been treated with BCG are unlikely to directly benefit from participation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal biomarkers or drug targets that help predict or overcome BCG resistance, leading to more effective options for NMIBC patients.
How similar studies have performed: Previous single-cell and spatial studies in bladder cancer have shown promise but were small and often focused on later-stage tumors, so a comprehensive pre/post-BCG atlas is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
New York, United States
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai — New York, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Song, Won-Min — Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
- Study coordinator: Song, Won-Min
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.