This $668,427 Project Grant award from the National Cancer Institute (CFDA 93.396 - Cancer Biology Research) supports research at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (CSHL) to investigate the biology and therapeutic vulnerabilities of POU2F3+ tuft cell-like carcinomas. The key objectives of the 5-year project are:
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Defining the molecular mechanisms and effectors of the POU2F3/OCA-T complex in POU2F3+ small cell lung cancer (SCLC), using genome editing and epigenomic approaches.
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Evaluating the in vivo biological properties of neoplastic tuft cells, including assessing the specific tumor genotypes permissive for tuft cell carcinomas, drivers of lineage plasticity, and the impact of chemotherapy.
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Understanding tuft cell identity as an acquired state and potential drug resistance mechanism in prostate adenocarcinoma, using a prostate cancer reprogramming model.
The overarching goal is to advance fundamental understanding of POU2F3+ carcinomas and identify potential therapeutic strategies for this newly identified tumor lineage. CSHL, a renowned non-profit research institution, is leveraging its expertise in cancer biology, genomics, and molecular biology to conduct this innovative, high-risk research supported by the National Cancer Institute.
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