Epigenetic reprogramming to restore tumor suppression in brain cancer
Official title: Epigenetic re-establishment of tumor suppression in glioblastoma
Funded at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory · NIH-11360132 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new approach aims to reactivate the brain’s natural tumor-suppressing signals in glioblastoma patients by targeting a specific epigenetic regulator.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cold Spring Harbor, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $678,879 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA286780-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11360132 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with TP53 wild-type glioblastoma or those whose tumors rely on BRD8-driven p53 suppression.
✕Less likely to help
Patients whose tumors do not depend on BRD8 or have p53 mutations may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project studies how a brain cancer-specific regulator called BRD8 keeps glioblastoma cells from activating p53’s tumor-suppressing program. By disrupting BRD8’s interaction with chromatin, the team hopes to open up the DNA so p53 can do its job and stop cancer cell growth. The work includes developing precise models, single-cell gene expression tools, and mouse studies to test whether this BRD8/p53 switch can slow tumor growth and extend survival. If successful, it could lead to new therapies that restore the body’s own defenses against glioblastoma.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If the approach works, patients with TP53 wild-type glioblastoma could gain a new way to halt tumor progression by reactivating p53.
How similar studies have gone: Preclinical studies have shown that BRD8/p53 remodeling can restore p53 activity and reduce glioblastoma growth in models.
Where this research is happening
-
Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
Cold Spring Harbor, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mills, Alea a. — Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
- Study coordinator: Mills, Alea a.
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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.