James Kim, MD, PhD

Research Project:
Epithelial to Neuronal Transition as a Driver of SCLC Brain Metastasis

Grant Awarded:

Lung Cancer Discovery Award

Research Topics:

basic biologic mechanisms
mechanisms of metastasis

Research Disease:

lung cancer

Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC) is a highly lethal disease and most patients have disease that has spread to other parts of the body, particularly the brain. We have optimized a new mouse model of human SCLC that consistently and spontaneously metastasizes (spreads) to the brain, a first for the lung cancer research field. We have found that SCLC brain metastases (BMs) are more like brain cells than the original lung tumor or metastases in other organs. Here, we will test whether the brain-like nature of the BMs is critical for the SCLC BMs, if SCLC BMs interact with normal brain cells in culture to promote its growth, and if a certain protein acts as a master regulator for brain-like characteristics of SCLC BMs. If this study is successful, we will have a much greater understanding of the process that drives SCLC brain metastases and identify potential new proteins that may be targets for drug development.

Page last updated: September 23, 2026

James Kim, MD, PhD

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