Finding new ways to make cancer treatments more effective
Discovery of Potent Selective Inhibitors of the Histone Methyltransferase SUV39H1 for the Treatment of Cancer
This work aims to discover new medicines that can help the immune system better fight cancers that don't respond well to current immunotherapies.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11128604 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Many cancers don't respond to powerful immune-boosting drugs like Keytruda or Opdiva. This project explores a new strategy called 'viral mimicry' to make these resistant cancers more visible to the immune system. We are looking for new drugs that can reactivate ancient viruses hidden within cancer cells, making the cancer cells appear infected. This 'viral mimicry' then triggers the body's own immune cells to recognize and destroy the cancer.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This research is focused on patients with cancers that do not respond well to current immune-boosting therapies.
Not a fit: Patients whose cancers already respond effectively to existing immunotherapies may not directly benefit from this specific approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments that make currently resistant cancers vulnerable to existing immunotherapies, potentially reducing disease mortality.
How similar studies have performed: The concept of 'viral mimicry' and targeting SUV39H1 has shown promising results in preclinical studies, suggesting a novel and effective approach.
Where this research is happening
La Jolla, United States
- Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute — La Jolla, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Spruck, Charles H. — Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute
- Study coordinator: Spruck, Charles H.
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.