How oxidative damage at chromosome ends affects telomere length
Roles of Telomeric Oxidative DNA Lesions in Telomere Length Regulation
Researchers are testing whether oxidative DNA damage at telomeres changes how cancer cells keep their chromosome ends long, focusing on aggressive ALT-positive cancers.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11298936 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project looks at cancer cells that use the alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT) pathway to maintain chromosome ends. Scientists will create oxidative DNA lesions (8oxoG) specifically at telomeres in cell models and track markers of ALT activity such as C-circles and signs of replication stress. The team uses a targeted tool to place damage at telomeres and studies how homology-directed repair pathways respond and whether replication forks stall. Results aim to clarify why ALT-driven tumors are aggressive and reveal possible points to block their telomere maintenance.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal future trial candidates would be patients with ALT-positive cancers, for example certain sarcomas or tumors that lack telomerase activity.
Not a fit: Patients whose tumors maintain telomeres primarily with telomerase rather than ALT may not directly benefit from findings focused on ALT mechanisms.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could reveal vulnerabilities in ALT-driven cancers that lead to new treatments targeting telomere maintenance.
How similar studies have performed: Prior lab studies showed oxidative lesions can alter telomerase activity and telomere replication, but using targeted 8oxoG to probe ALT pathways is a relatively new approach.
Where this research is happening
Pittsburgh, United States
- University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh — Pittsburgh, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Opresko, Patricia L — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Opresko, Patricia L
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.