# Developing a Therapeutics Platform for Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma

> **NIH NIH R21** · ICAHN SCHOOL OF MEDICINE AT MOUNT SINAI · 2021 · $211,875

## Abstract

Developin​g a Therapeutics Platform for Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma
Summary
 Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma (ACC) is a rare cancer of the salivary glands. Slow growing,
survival rates at 15 years are only 40% due to the relentless nature of the disease. This grant
proposal focuses on disease associated with the salivary glands, which accounts for
approximately one-third of all reported ACC cases. These tumors typically contain oncogenic
C-terminal truncation variants of MYB, most commonly through fusion with NFIB. Importantly,
ACC tumors contain other cancer-related genes as well, leading to overall tumor genetic
complexity that likely contributes to therapy resistance. Currently, ACC patients have no
effective long-term treatment options.
 In this proposal, we build on our recent clinical experience to develop a novel set of
Drosophila ACC transgenic models. Each model is designed to capture a single patient tumor’s
genetic complexity. We will then take the first steps towards validating the utility of these fly
models by examining whether genetic complexity alters tumor progression and drug response in
a whole animal setting. One challenge of the ACC field is the lack of tumor models. This
proposal is designed to provide a unique platform that is readily screenable both with genetics
and with drug panels.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10173753
- **Project number:** 5R21DE029444-02
- **Recipient organization:** ICAHN SCHOOL OF MEDICINE AT MOUNT SINAI
- **Principal Investigator:** MARSHALL R POSNER
- **Activity code:** R21 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $211,875
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2020-06-01 → 2023-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10173753

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10173753, Developing a Therapeutics Platform for Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma (5R21DE029444-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10173753. Licensed CC0.

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