Why some lung cancers stop responding to targeted treatments
Clinical specimen tumor-TME acquired resistance
Researchers are looking at tumor and nearby cells in people with non-small cell lung cancer to see how cancers change during targeted and immune therapies and to find ways to stop treatment resistance.
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-11190981 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project focuses on non-small cell lung cancer and how tumors plus the tumor microenvironment change while patients receive targeted or immune therapies. Investigators will analyze clinical tumor specimens to map the cell types, signaling networks, and spatial relationships that let tumors survive during treatment. The team aims to define mechanisms of acquired resistance and test therapeutic approaches that could block those survival programs. Results may point to combination treatments or biomarkers to help doctors keep therapies working longer.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with non-small cell lung cancer—particularly those with EGFR, KRAS, or other targetable driver mutations who are receiving targeted therapies or whose tumors have progressed on such treatments and who can provide tumor samples—are the most relevant candidates.
Not a fit: People without non-small cell lung cancer, those whose tumors lack targetable alterations, or patients unable or unwilling to provide tumor biopsies are unlikely to benefit directly from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new combination treatments or biomarkers that extend the effectiveness of targeted and immune therapies and improve survival for people with NSCLC.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has identified some resistance mechanisms and effective combination strategies in NSCLC, but the role of tumor–microenvironment interactions in acquired resistance remains an active and partly novel area of study.
Where this research is happening
San Francisco, United States
- University of California, San Francisco — San Francisco, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bivona, Trever G — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Bivona, Trever G
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.