APOBEC Mutagenesis in Cancer
Official title: APOBEC Mutagenesis in Cancer
Funded at University of Texas Hlth Science Center · NIH-11418424 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A team at a major health center is exploring how APOBEC enzymes drive mutations in bladder and other cancers and testing ways to block this process to slow cancer progression.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P01 program project |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Texas Hlth Science Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Antonio, United States) |
| Project start | August 9, 2019 |
| Project end | August 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $1,902,068 |
| NIH project number | 5P01CA234228-07 |
| Project ID | NIH-11418424 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with cancers where APOBEC mutagenesis is common, including bladder, breast, cervical, head/neck, and lung cancers, may benefit from future therapies arising from this work.
✕Less likely to help
Not all cancers or patients may respond to APOBEC-targeted approaches, and some individuals may not experience direct benefit.
What this research studies
This project aims to understand how APOBEC enzymes cause DNA mutations in cancer and how these mutations affect treatment outcomes. The team will use structural studies, chemistry, and biology to identify molecules that can inhibit or degrade APOBEC enzymes. By integrating multiple approaches, they hope to slow tumor evolution and improve responses to existing therapies. The work is organized into three coordinated projects that combine lab studies with potential drug development.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the research could lead to new treatments that reduce mutation rates in tumors and enhance the effectiveness of current cancer therapies.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown APOBEC-related mutations are a major cancer mutational process, and targeting APOBEC represents a promising but still experimental strategy.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Texas Hlth Science Center
San Antonio, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Harris, Reuben S — University of Texas Hlth Science Center
- Study coordinator: Harris, Reuben S
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.