The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center (UT Southwestern) was awarded a $642,429 federal Project Grant under the National Cancer Institute's Cancer Biology Research program (CFDA 93.396) to conduct research on cross-resistance mechanisms in small cell lung cancer (SCLC). The goal of the 5-year project is to develop tailored treatment plans for SCLC patients by examining the molecular drivers of drug resistance, particularly the role of MYC gene amplifications on extrachromosomal DNA. UT Southwestern has generated a panel of 72 patient-derived xenograft models that mirror clinical SCLC outcomes, allowing direct comparison of resistance mechanisms between pre-treatment and post-relapse tumors. This research has identified MYC, MYCN, and MYCL amplifications as key drivers of cross-resistance to chemotherapy in SCLC, informing the development of new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.
Generated 3/4/25, 7:16 AM