How Environmental Damage to Our DNA Leads to Cancer

Environmental DNA Lesions and Mutagenesis: Molecular Mechanisms of Lesion Recognition for Repair and Polymerase Bypass

['FUNDING_R01'] · NEW YORK UNIVERSITY · NIH-11078314

This project explores how environmental factors harm our DNA and how our bodies try to fix or work around this damage, which can lead to cancer.

Quick facts

Phase['FUNDING_R01']
Study typeNih_funding
SexAll
SponsorNEW YORK UNIVERSITY (nih funded)
Locations1 site (NEW YORK, UNITED STATES)
Trial IDNIH-11078314 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this research studies

Our DNA is constantly exposed to harmful substances from the environment, such as pollutants, certain medicines, and UV light. These exposures create 'lesions' or damage in our DNA, which can cause changes (mutations) that lead to cancer. Our bodies have natural ways to fix this damage through repair mechanisms or to work around it, but some damage is harder to fix or bypass, making it more likely to cause cancer. This project aims to uncover the exact steps involved in how our bodies recognize and deal with this DNA damage, helping us understand why some damage is more dangerous than others.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: This foundational research does not directly involve patient participation at this stage.

Not a fit: Patients seeking immediate treatment options would not directly benefit from this foundational research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: Understanding these fundamental mechanisms could lead to better strategies for preventing or treating cancers caused by environmental DNA damage.

How similar studies have performed: This project addresses significant gaps in our current understanding of DNA damage and repair, building on existing knowledge but exploring new mechanistic insights.

Where this research is happening

NEW YORK, UNITED STATES

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.

View on NIH RePORTER →

Conditions: Anti-Cancer Agents

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.