Targeting Chemoresistance in Small Cell Lung Cancer
Abstract
Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is the deadliest form of lung cancer and the most strongly associated with smoking history. Unfortunately, chemotherapy remains the main treatment option for patients with SCLC. Although this cancer typically responds extremely well, relapse is fast and largely inevitable. There are no effective therapies for relapsed tumors. The goal of our proposed study is to find new targets for drug therapy against relapsed SCLC tumors and provide continued hope for these patients. In this regard, we have identified a protein called HEPACAM2, which appears to be highly and specifically made only by SCLC tumors, making it a very attractive target. We need to explore if HEPACAM2 is important for SCLC growth and, if so, how best to target it. To do this we will need to determine where HEPACAM2 is located in SCLC cells. Once location is established, we envision taking one of two different therapeutic strategies: either by inhibiting the role this protein plays in cell division using drugs already under clinical development or by generating ?magic bullets? that specifically destroy SCLC tumors and ignore normal tissues in the body. It is hoped that success with either approach can be translated into clinical trials within 2-5 years. Because of the strong association of SCLC with smoking, the results of this study will clearly benefit this at-risk population, including military personnel.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Aug 07, 2017
- Source ID
- W81XWH1710195
Entities
People
- Afshin Dowlati
Organizations
- Case Western Reserve University
- United States Army