Blocking a tumor protein to help drug‑resistant basal cell skin cancers
Targeting Tumor-Driven Immune Tolerance to Overcome Resistance to Hedgehog Inhibition
This work looks at whether stopping a tumor protein called BRD9 can help people with basal cell nevus syndrome whose basal cell carcinomas no longer respond to Hedgehog pathway drugs by restoring immune attack on the tumors.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Columbia University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11308695 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would be part of research aimed at understanding why some basal cell cancers stop responding to Hedgehog (Hh) drugs. Scientists will use lab-grown tumor cells with BRD9 turned off or up, study how that changes the immune cells around tumors, and test findings in animal models and tumor samples. They will also look at interactions with other related proteins (like BRD7) and with existing therapies such as Smoothened inhibitors and PD‑1 blockade. The goal is to find ways to overcome resistance so tumors stay controlled longer.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with basal cell nevus syndrome or other patients whose basal cell carcinomas have become resistant to Hedgehog (SMO) inhibitors or have progressed after PD‑1 therapy would be the most relevant candidates.
Not a fit: Patients with early basal cell cancers that still respond well to Hh inhibitors, or people with unrelated cancers, are unlikely to benefit directly from this specific research right now.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could lead to new treatments that help people with Hh‑inhibitor–resistant basal cell carcinomas respond again to targeted drugs or immunotherapy.
How similar studies have performed: Immune checkpoint drugs like PD‑1 blockers help some patients, but targeting BRD9 and SWI/SNF chromatin regulators to reverse drug resistance is a newer, mostly preclinical approach with promising lab data but not yet proven in people.
Where this research is happening
New York, United States
- Columbia University Health Sciences — New York, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kim, Arianna L — Columbia University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Kim, Arianna L
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 below.