Federal Grant Award Summary

Yale University received a $615,287 Project Grant award dated July 10, 2026, from the National Cancer Institute under the Cancer Biology Research program (CFDA 93.396) to investigate glycosylation pathway targeting as a novel therapeutic intervention for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The research focuses on identifying and characterizing genes critical for survival of NSCLC with KRAS/LKB1 co-mutations, a highly aggressive molecular subtype. Through genome-wide CRISPR knockout screening, the research team identified ALG5 (dolichyl-phosphate beta-glucosyltransferase) as a top candidate gene responsible for KL NSCLC survival and proliferation within the N-glycosylation biosynthesis pathway.

The project, scheduled for completion by June 30, 2031, will deliver research outputs including molecular and metabolic characterization of ALG5's oncogenic role during lung tumorigenesis, identification of metabolites and glycan species involved in KRAS/LKB1-driven proliferation, and in vivo validation studies using clinically relevant mouse models. The research aims to establish aberrant glycosylation as a therapeutic target that may synergize with immune checkpoint blockers to improve treatment efficacy. The work is conducted at Yale University's New Haven, Connecticut facility and contributes to the National Cancer Institute's fundamental cancer biology research objectives focused on understanding cancer cell biology mechanisms and tumor biology.