Developing a new treatment for breast cancer by targeting a specific DNA repair enzyme.
Official title: Identification of small molecule inhibitors to exonuclease 1 for breast cancer treatment
Funded at Beckman Research Institute/city of Hope · NIH-10897870 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on a new treatment that targets a specific enzyme involved in DNA repair, which could help improve options for people with breast cancer by reducing DNA damage in their cells.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Beckman Research Institute/city of Hope NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Duarte, United States) |
| Project start | August 2, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $609,851 |
| NIH project number | 5U01CA276195-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10897870 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with breast cancer, particularly those with BRCA1/2 mutations or other related genetic predispositions.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with early-stage breast cancer who are not genetically predisposed or those with non-breast cancer types may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to create a small molecule inhibitor that specifically targets exonuclease 1 (EXO1), an enzyme involved in DNA repair. By using high-throughput screening and various assays, the team will identify and optimize compounds that can inhibit EXO1's activity. This approach is particularly relevant for breast cancer cells, which often have higher levels of DNA damage and replication stress compared to normal cells. If successful, this inhibitor could serve as a new therapeutic option for patients with breast cancer.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to a novel treatment option for breast cancer patients that specifically targets cancer cell vulnerabilities.
How similar studies have gone: While targeting DNA repair mechanisms in cancer treatment is a well-explored area, the specific approach of inhibiting EXO1 is novel and has not been previously tested.
Where this research is happening
-
Beckman Research Institute/city of Hope
Duarte, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Shen, Binghui — Beckman Research Institute/city of Hope
- Study coordinator: Shen, Binghui
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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.