Histone mutations in cancer pathogenesis
Official title: Histone fold Mutations in Cancer Pathogenesis
Funded at Van Andel Research Institute · NIH-11519685 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A cancer-focused study looks at how changes in histone genes found in patients may drive tumor growth and interact with other cancer mutations.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Van Andel Research Institute NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Grand Rapids, United States) |
| Project start | August 26, 2022 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $554,933 |
| NIH project number | 7R01CA266078-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11519685 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with cancers that harbor histone gene mutations (e.g., bladder, lung, colorectal, head and neck cancers) could indirectly benefit from advances driven by this work.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without histone mutations or those not eligible for future targeted therapies may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
This project analyzes cancer patient genomic data to understand how histone fold mutations may promote cancer by altering chromatin structure. It builds on prior work showing that these histone changes can disrupt nucleosome formation and interact with oncogenic pathways. The researchers plan to investigate how these mutations cluster in certain cancers and how they cooperate with other cancer drivers. The goal is to clarify the role of histone mutations in cancer biology and identify potential points for future therapeutic intervention.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Understanding histone mutations could lead to new strategies for diagnosing or treating cancers with these alterations.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have linked histone mutations to altered chromatin dynamics and cancer progression, supporting a plausible impact for this line of research.
Where this research is happening
-
Van Andel Research Institute
Grand Rapids, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Licht, Jonathan D. — Van Andel Research Institute
- Study coordinator: Licht, Jonathan D.
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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.