Cancer drugs that awaken the immune protein interferon by opening tumor DNA packaging
Induction of interferon response by chromatin damaging anti-cancer therapy
This work looks at whether cancer drugs that loosen DNA packaging can quickly trigger interferon to help people with tumors.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Roswell Park Cancer Institute Corp NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Buffalo, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11237578 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a patient's perspective, researchers are focusing on a new class of drugs called curaxins that change how DNA is packaged in cancer cells without breaking the DNA itself. They will compare these "chromatin-damaging" drugs to traditional DNA-damaging chemotherapies in lab models and use data from early human testing of the lead compound CBL0137. The team will measure interferon and other immune signals, tumor responses, and side effects to see if the chromatin-only approach is less toxic and better at activating anti-tumor immunity. The goal is to develop treatments that work well against tumors while causing fewer toxic effects and boosting the body's immune attack on cancer.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with solid tumors or other cancers who are eligible for early-phase trials or treatments targeting DNA/chromatin pathways would be the most likely candidates.
Not a fit: Patients whose cancers are unrelated to pathways affected by chromatin damage or who cannot enroll in early-phase clinical trials may not receive direct benefit from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could lead to cancer treatments that are less toxic than standard DNA-damaging chemotherapy while better at stimulating the immune system to fight tumors.
How similar studies have performed: Preclinical studies and a Phase I trial of the curaxin CBL0137 have shown anti-tumor activity and interferon induction, but larger clinical trials are still needed to confirm benefit.
Where this research is happening
Buffalo, United States
- Roswell Park Cancer Institute Corp — Buffalo, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gurova, Katerina V — Roswell Park Cancer Institute Corp
- Study coordinator: Gurova, Katerina V
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.