How the XPA DNA-repair protein affects cancer cells' response to platinum chemotherapy
The XPA scaffold protein in Nucleotide Excision Repair
Researchers are looking to see whether changes in the XPA DNA-repair protein in tumors make some cancers more likely to be killed by platinum chemotherapy like cisplatin.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Vanderbilt University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Nashville, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-11143749 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
The team will examine tumor genetic data to find changes in the XPA protein and recreate those changes in lab-grown cancer cells. They will measure how well altered cells can repair DNA damage and whether those changes make the cells more sensitive to platinum drugs. The experiments use cancer cell lines and tumor genome information rather than testing new treatments in people. Findings may point to genetic signs that predict which tumors respond better to platinum chemotherapy.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Patients with cancers treated with platinum drugs, especially those whose tumors have undergone genetic testing showing changes in XPA or other NER genes, would be most relevant to this research.
Not a fit: Patients whose tumors lack XPA or related NER gene changes, or patients not treated with platinum chemotherapy, are less likely to benefit directly from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help doctors predict which patients are more likely to benefit from platinum chemotherapy and guide treatment decisions.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown that loss of other NER genes (like ERCC1 and ERCC2) is linked to better cisplatin response, and early lab work suggests XPA mutations can also reduce repair, so this builds on promising prior findings.
Where this research is happening
Nashville, UNITED STATES
- Vanderbilt University — Nashville, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Chazin, Walter J. — Vanderbilt University
- Study coordinator: Chazin, Walter J.
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.