How PARP inhibitors change gene activity in tumors and immune cells
Transcriptomic mechanisms underlying the immune modulating function and therapeutic efficacy of PARP inhibitors
This work looks at how PARP inhibitor drugs change gene activity in tumors and immune cells to help people with ovarian, breast, and pancreatic cancers.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11166633 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you take part, researchers will use single-cell RNA sequencing on tumor and immune cells to see how PARP inhibitors change gene expression. They will compare samples from patients and experimental models treated with PARP inhibitors alone or combined with PD-1/PD-L1 immunotherapy. The team aims to find immune and tumor gene signals that explain why some people have strong durable responses while others do not, including those without BRCA1/2 mutations. Results will be used to guide better patient selection and combination treatment strategies.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are people with ovarian cancer or BRCA1/2-mutant breast or pancreatic cancers, or patients being considered for PARP inhibitor or PARP-plus-immunotherapy treatment.
Not a fit: People without cancer, those not treated with PARP inhibitors, or patients seeking an immediate new therapy rather than contributing samples to research are unlikely to get direct benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help doctors predict who will benefit from PARP inhibitors or PARP-plus-immunotherapy and guide more effective treatment choices.
How similar studies have performed: PARP inhibitors are already approved for several cancers and prior trials combining PARP inhibitors with PD-1/PD-L1 blockers have shown some durable responses, but clinical benefit has been variable and the molecular reasons remain largely unproven.
Where this research is happening
Houston, United States
- University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr — Houston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Yap, Timothy Anthony — University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr
- Study coordinator: Yap, Timothy Anthony
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.