Circular RNAs may weaken abemaciclib’s immune-boosting effects
Endogenous Circular RNAs limit abemaciclib anti tumor immune responses
Looks at whether blocking specific circular RNAs can help the cancer drug abemaciclib create stronger immune attacks against soft-tissue sarcoma.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11304503 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will use new mouse models with working immune systems to see how abemaciclib works when a specific circular RNA (circCsnk1g3) is reduced. They will treat tumors with abemaciclib alone or combined with circRNA-silencing and study immune signaling pathways like RIG-I/MDA5/MAVS using lab techniques such as co-immunoprecipitation. The team will also examine changes in the tumor microenvironment with single-cell RNA sequencing and flow cytometry to track which immune cells are affected. These preclinical experiments aim to show whether targeting circRNAs can act as an adjuvant to boost abemaciclib's anti-tumor immune effects.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Patients with advanced or metastatic soft-tissue sarcoma, especially those whose tumors show CDK4/6 pathway activity and who might be candidates for abemaciclib, are the most relevant group.
Not a fit: Patients with cancers other than soft-tissue sarcoma, tumors not driven by CDK4/6, or those who cannot take CDK4/6 inhibitors are unlikely to benefit directly from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could make abemaciclib more effective against soft-tissue sarcomas by boosting the immune system's ability to attack tumors.
How similar studies have performed: CDK4/6 inhibitors like abemaciclib have shown immune-modulating effects in other cancers, but combining them with targeted circRNA silencing is a novel and largely untested strategy.
Where this research is happening
Houston, United States
- University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr — Houston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Guarnerio, Jlenia — University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr
- Study coordinator: Guarnerio, Jlenia
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.