Chromatin remodelers in cancer: how mSWI/SNF complexes read the chromatin landscape
Official title: Structure-activity relationships governing mammalian SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling activity as a function of chromatin state
Funded at Dana-Farber Cancer Inst · NIH-11450098 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are studying how human cancer cells change their chromatin to drive disease by looking at how mSWI/SNF remodeling proteins read and respond to chemical marks on histones.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Dana-Farber Cancer Inst NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2021 |
| Project end | July 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $791,671 |
| NIH project number | 2R01CA259365-06 |
| Project ID | NIH-11450098 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are patients whose cancers show alterations in mSWI/SNF components or histone modifications influencing these complexes.
✕Less likely to help
Patients whose tumors do not involve mSWI/SNF alterations or dependent pathways may see little direct benefit.
What this research studies
This grant explores how cancer-associated changes on histone proteins influence the targeting and activity of mSWI/SNF chromatin remodelers in human cells. The work builds on prior findings to map post-translational modifications on mSWI/SNF subunits and test how these marks affect binding and remodeling in cancer cells. By integrating genome-wide sequencing and cellular assays, the project aims to reveal which PTMs and interactions are critical for misregulation of gene expression in tumors. Outcomes could point to new weaknesses in cancer cells that therapies might exploit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: A deeper understanding of how chromatin remodeling becomes misregulated in cancer could lead to targeted therapies that restore normal gene expression.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work has shown that histone marks can modulate mSWI/SNF targeting and function, supporting potential translational relevance.
Where this research is happening
-
Dana-Farber Cancer Inst
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kadoch, Cigall — Dana-Farber Cancer Inst
- Study coordinator: Kadoch, Cigall
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.