How the protein PARP14 helps cancers resist radiation
The Role of Mono-ADP-Ribosylation by PARP14 in Radioresistance
Researchers are looking at whether chemical changes driven by PARP14 make BRCA-related cancers harder to kill with radiation and how to counteract that for patients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Pennsylvania State Univ Hershey Med Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Hershey, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11254929 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This work looks at how cells repair dangerous DNA breaks and how PARP14 adds a chemical tag (mono-ADP-ribosylation) that may protect damaged DNA during replication. The team uses molecular and cell models, including BRCA1/2-deficient systems, to see how removing or blocking PARP14 changes DNA repair and survival after radiation. They measure replication fork protection, DNA damage markers, and cell survival after radiation to map the mechanism of resistance. The goal is to find steps in this pathway that could be targeted to make tumors, especially BRCA-mutant ones, more sensitive to radiotherapy.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation–associated cancers, particularly those receiving or scheduled for radiation treatment, would be the most relevant candidates for related clinical follow-up or trials.
Not a fit: Patients without BRCA-related tumors or those whose cancers are not treated with radiation are less likely to benefit directly from this specific line of research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could point to new targets or strategies to make radiation therapy work better for patients with BRCA-related cancers.
How similar studies have performed: Related work on PARP enzyme inhibition has helped some BRCA-mutant cancers, but PARP14 and its mono-ADP-ribosylation role in radioresistance is a newer, less-tested area.
Where this research is happening
Hershey, United States
- Pennsylvania State Univ Hershey Med Ctr — Hershey, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Moldovan, George Lucian — Pennsylvania State Univ Hershey Med Ctr
- Study coordinator: Moldovan, George Lucian
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.