# Uncovering Mechanisms of Regulation and Dependency on Fatty Acid Oxidation in MYC-Driven Tumors

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN FRANCISCO · 2022 · $362,043

## Abstract

Project Summary
The MYC oncogene is overexpressed in some of the most aggressive and difficult to treat human cancers,
including receptor triple-negative breast cancers (TNBCs), as well as high-grade lymphomas and aggressive
subtypes of liver cancers. MYC overexpression induces a highly malignant state by driving proliferation and
altering various metabolic programs within tumor cells. We recently discovered that MYC-driven transgenic
models of breast cancer have reprogramed cellular metabolism that favor fatty acid oxidation (FAO) as an
energy source. This finding was also observed in MYC-high TNBCs and has recently been confirmed by an
independent research group. Targeting FAO in human cell lines, MYC-driven transgenic animal models and
patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models of breast cancer results in diminished tumor growth and increased cell
death. What remains unknown is what are the molecular mechanisms through which MYC reprograms tumor
metabolism to favor FAO. Furthermore, we seek to understand why MYC-high tumors are dependent on the
FAO pathway for their growth and survival. Finally, we seek to improve upon current therapies for TNBCs by
performing advance preclinical studies in PDX models to determine if blocking FAO alone or in combination
with other metabolic pathways in vivo will provide improved therapeutic response. Our studies will improve our
understanding of how MYC reprograms metabolism in vivo and will lead to novel therapeutics for difficult to
treat MYC overexpressing cancers.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10436804
- **Project number:** 5R01CA223817-05
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN FRANCISCO
- **Principal Investigator:** ANDREI GOGA
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $362,043
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2018-07-03 → 2024-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10436804

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10436804, Uncovering Mechanisms of Regulation and Dependency on Fatty Acid Oxidation in MYC-Driven Tumors (5R01CA223817-05). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10436804. Licensed CC0.

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