How a tiny chemical tag on a DNA-repair protein affects prostate cancer's response to chemotherapy
The role of histidine phosphorylation in the DNA alkylation damage response
['FUNDING_R01'] · GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY · NIH-11266205
This research looks at whether chemical tags on DNA-repair proteins make some prostate cancers more sensitive to alkylating chemotherapy drugs.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (WASHINGTON, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11266205 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
You can think of this work as lab scientists examining prostate cancer cells to see how small chemical changes on a repair protein (phosphate and histidine tags) change the cell's ability to fix DNA damage from certain chemotherapy drugs. They turn off or change specific genes like NME2 and ASCC3 in cancer cells and measure whether DNA damage builds up and whether the cells die more easily when given alkylating agents. The team also looks at tumor data to see if some patients' cancers have extra copies or changes in these genes that might make them more likely to respond to these drugs. Their experiments are done in cell models and analyzed alongside tumor genetic information to find markers that could guide future patient treatments.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Patients with neuroendocrine prostate cancer or prostate tumors that show alterations or amplification of NME2 or ASCC3 in their tumor tests would be the most relevant candidates.
Not a fit: Patients with cancers that do not rely on this DNA alkylation repair pathway or without NME2/ASCC3 changes are unlikely to receive direct benefit from these findings.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help identify which prostate cancers are more likely to respond to alkylating chemotherapy or point to new ways to make resistant tumors more sensitive.
How similar studies have performed: Previous laboratory studies show that disrupting ALKBH3-related repair pathways can make cancer cells more sensitive to alkylating agents, but applying this knowledge to help patients is still early and experimental.
Where this research is happening
WASHINGTON, UNITED STATES
- GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY — WASHINGTON, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: PEI, HUADONG — GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY
- Study coordinator: PEI, HUADONG
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.
Conditions: Cancer Patient, Cancers