Chemical tools to block DNA editing enzymes that drive cancer
Official title: PROJECT 2 – CHEMICAL MODULATION OF DNA DEAMINASES IN CANCER
Funded at University of Texas Hlth Science Center · NIH-11418435 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Aims to develop chemical inhibitors that block APOBEC3A and APOBEC3B enzymes, which can cause mutations in cancer and help tumors become resistant to therapy.
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) | $317,011 |
| NIH project number | 5P01CA234228-07 |
| Project ID | NIH-11418435 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with cancers driven by APOBEC3A/3B-related mutations or those whose tumors show high APOBEC activity.
✕Less likely to help
Patients whose tumors are not driven by APOBEC3A/3B or who cannot tolerate potential inhibitor-related side effects may not benefit.
What this research studies
This grant focuses on understanding and stopping the DNA editing enzymes APOBEC3A and APOBEC3B to keep cancer mutations from accumulating and making treatments fail. Researchers will study how these enzymes work at the molecular level and test chemical inhibitors and degraders that can block their activity. The program includes dedicated cores for proteins, assays, computational chemistry, and bioinformatics to support discovery. If successful, these inhibitors could be used alongside existing cancer therapies to improve their durability and patient outcomes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If the inhibitors are effective, patients could experience longer-lasting responses to cancer therapies and fewer resistant tumor mutations.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work has shown APOBEC enzymes contribute to tumor mutations, and chemical inhibitors/degraders are a promising strategy, though this area is still under development.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Texas Hlth Science Center
San Antonio, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Harki, Daniel a — University of Texas Hlth Science Center
- Study coordinator: Harki, Daniel a
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.