Why some cancer drugs hurt the heart and how to protect it
Multiscale Systems to Elucidate Susceptibility and Cardioprotective Mechanisms in Cardio-oncology
Researchers are using patient cells and models to find why certain cancer drugs like ibrutinib can damage the heart and how to stop it.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P01 program project |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Stanford University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Stanford, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11174545 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This program uses mouse models, engineered heart cells, and patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) to look for genetic and biological reasons why cancer drugs harm the heart. Investigators will create pooled “cell villages” from patients to map how genetic differences change responses to kinase inhibitors. They will also search for protective mechanisms by reversing drug-related epigenetic changes and testing those targets in cell and animal models. An iPSC processing core will build a repository of patient cell lines to support testing and to develop a platform for screening future cancer therapies for heart safety.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are people treated with kinase inhibitor cancer drugs (such as ibrutinib), especially those who developed heart-related side effects, who could donate samples or clinical information.
Not a fit: Patients who have never received kinase inhibitors or whose heart problems are unrelated to cancer therapy may not see direct benefit from this specific program.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to tests that predict who is at high risk and to new therapies that protect patients’ hearts during cancer treatment.
How similar studies have performed: Similar patient-derived iPSC studies have helped reveal drug cardiotoxicity before, but the pooled 'cell village' and epigenomic reversion approach here is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
Stanford, United States
- Stanford University — Stanford, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wu, Joseph C. — Stanford University
- Study coordinator: Wu, Joseph C.
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.