Why some cells with cancer-linked mutations become tumors
PROMINENT - UCSF
This work looks at how non-mutational factors like obesity, alcohol, and tissue environment help cells that already have cancer-related mutations turn into tumors, which could matter for people at risk of cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Francisco NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11235459 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would hear that researchers are combining genetic sequencing of normal human tissues with experiments in mice and lab-grown cells to find what lets mutated cells progress to cancer. They will use CRISPR-based screens and bioinformatics to pinpoint genes and biological pathways that respond to lifestyle or tissue changes. Promising factors will be tested in mouse models and cell systems to see which actually drive tumor formation. The goal is to find actionable targets that could be used to prevent or slow cancer development.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants would be adults willing to provide tissue or blood samples, especially people with risk factors like obesity, heavy alcohol use, or a family history of cancer.
Not a fit: People with advanced metastatic cancer or those unwilling to provide samples are unlikely to receive direct short-term benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal new ways to prevent cancers by blocking the non-mutational factors that promote tumor formation.
How similar studies have performed: Earlier human tissue sequencing and older mouse promotion studies support the idea that non-mutational promoters matter, but turning those findings into human prevention strategies is still an emerging effort.
Where this research is happening
San Francisco, United States
- University of California, San Francisco — San Francisco, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Balmain, Allan — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Balmain, Allan
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.