How mutant p53 helps cancers hide from the immune system
Oncogenic functions of mutant p53
Researchers are looking at how specific changes in the p53 gene let cancer cells block an internal immune alarm system, with the goal of helping people whose tumors carry p53 mutations.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | State University New York Stony Brook NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Stony Brook, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11247954 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If I have cancer with a p53 mutation, this work tries to explain how that altered p53 protein stops the cGAS/STING immune signaling that would normally flag damaged cells. The team uses laboratory experiments to study how mutant p53 changes signaling inside cancer cells and how those changes affect immune responses around the tumor. They will map the molecular steps involved and study the consequences for tumor behavior. The results are intended to guide future treatments that consider a tumor's p53 status.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People whose tumors are known to carry p53 missense mutations (or who have cancers with high chromosomal instability) would be the most relevant group for findings from this work and potential future trials.
Not a fit: Patients with cancers that retain normal (wild-type) p53 or whose disease is driven by unrelated mechanisms are less likely to benefit directly from this specific line of research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could point to new ways to restore immune detection of tumors or to choose therapies based on whether a patient's tumor has mutant p53.
How similar studies have performed: Prior studies show mutant p53 promotes cancer growth and cGAS/STING activates anti-tumor immunity, but connecting mutant p53 to suppression of cGAS/STING is a relatively new and developing area.
Where this research is happening
Stony Brook, United States
- State University New York Stony Brook — Stony Brook, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Martinez, Luis Alfonso — State University New York Stony Brook
- Study coordinator: Martinez, Luis Alfonso
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.