# Targeting ERK-AKT-mediated single-cell drug response heterogeneity in metastatic osteosarcoma

> **NIH NIH K01** · OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY · 2021 · $119,713

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ ABSTRACT
Cellular plasticity, the ability of cells to bi-directionally transition between states over time, provides a non-
genetic mechanism for cells to sample different phenotypes, spontaneously, or in response to cues from the
microenvironment. In the context of cancer drug response, plasticity is problematic because it allows cancer cells
to transition between drug resistant and sensitive states over time. While this phenomenon is well documented
in primary tumors it appears to be a substantial problem in the metastatic microenvironment where cancer cells
often exhibit profound drug resistance leading to patient mortality. In the proposed work, we aim to address this
problem to determine how signals arising from the metastatic microenvironment of the lung regulate drug
response plasticity and how we can inhibit phenotypic transitions from drug sensitive to resistant states in single
cells. Additionally, completion of the aims proposed in this K01 submission will facilitate development of a
research program that is distinct from my post-doctoral mentors, sharpen my research skills, and set the stage
for a successful independent career using live-cell imaging techniques to study metastatic tumor biology and
drug resistance.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10283653
- **Project number:** 1K01OD031811-01
- **Recipient organization:** OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Alexander E Davies
- **Activity code:** K01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $119,713
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2021-07-05 → 2026-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10283653

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10283653, Targeting ERK-AKT-mediated single-cell drug response heterogeneity in metastatic osteosarcoma (1K01OD031811-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-27 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10283653. Licensed CC0.

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