| Grant ID | RP240095 |
| Awarded On | February 21, 2024 |
| Title | Targeting chitinase-3-like-1 as a novel therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma |
| Program | Academic Research |
| Award Mechanism | Individual Investigator |
| Institution/Organization | The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston |
| Principal Investigator/Program Director | Cynthia Ju |
| Cancer Sites | Gallbladder, Liver and Intrahepatic Bile Duct |
| Contracted Amount |
$1,049,388* *Pending contract negotiation |
| Lay Summary |
Liver cancer is an aggressive cancer with poor prognosis, and it is now the 6th-leading cause of cancer-related death in the United States. Texas has the highest liver cancer incidence rate of all US states. Currently, treatment options for liver cancer are limited and not effective in prolonging cancer-free survival. Chitinase-3-like-1 (CHI3L1) is a glycoprotein released during tissue inflammation and remodeling. Serum levels of CHI3L1 is elevated in HCC patients and higher levels correlate with a poor prognosis. The goals of the proposed work are to understand the role of CHI3L1 in HCC development and to determine its potential as a therapeutic target. Our preliminary studies provide the f... |