Blocking heat shock proteins to treat advanced and recurrent endometrial cancer
Project 1: Targeting HSPA Proteins in Advanced and Recurrent Endometrial Cancer Therapy
Using a drug called SHetA2 to block cancer-helping heat shock proteins in women with advanced, recurrent, or treatment-resistant endometrial cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11191542 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers are focusing on heat shock (HSPA) proteins that help endometrial cancer cells survive and grow. They are testing SHetA2, a drug designed to break apart chaperone-oncoprotein complexes so cancer cells stop dividing and undergo cell death. The work combines lab studies in cells and animal models with links to an early-phase clinical trial in women with advanced gynecologic cancers. The goal is to find treatments that target cancer cells more precisely while sparing healthy tissue.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Women with advanced, recurrent, or treatment-resistant endometrial cancer, especially those whose tumors show high levels of HSPA proteins, would be the most relevant candidates.
Not a fit: Patients with early-stage endometrial cancer controlled by standard therapy or whose tumors lack elevated HSPA5/8/9 are less likely to benefit from this approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could lead to a targeted therapy that kills endometrial cancer cells while causing fewer side effects than current treatments.
How similar studies have performed: Preclinical studies showed SHetA2 causes cancer cell death with limited toxicity and an early-phase clinical trial is underway, but large-scale clinical success has not yet been established.
Where this research is happening
Saint Louis, United States
- Washington University — Saint Louis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Benbrook, Doris Mangiaracina — Washington University
- Study coordinator: Benbrook, Doris Mangiaracina
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.