The National Cancer Institute (NCI), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), has awarded a $662,096 Project Grant through the Cancer Treatment Research program (CFDA 93.395) to the Beckman Research Institute of the City of Hope. The grant, effective February 1, 2025 through January 31, 2030, aims to characterize the biology driving the response of locally advanced rectal cancer to standard-of-care total neoadjuvant therapy, and determine if the mitochondrial inhibitor papaverine can safely and effectively sensitize tumor cells to radiation therapy. Key research activities include a two-cohort Phase I safety study combining papaverine with short-course radiation, longitudinal collection of tumor and blood samples to profile molecular and immune changes, and assessing the impact of papaverine on tumor hypoxia using advanced imaging techniques. Findings from this research project are expected to develop biomarkers and rationale for targeting hypoxia to improve treatment response rates for locally advanced rectal cancer.
Generated 3/4/25, 6:08 AM