NIH-funded research R01 grant

Improving bladder cancer treatment by targeting DNA repair deficiencies

Official title: Targeting Nucleotide Excision Repair Deficiency to Improve Bladder Sparing Treatment for Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer

Funded at Dana-Farber Cancer Inst · NIH-10918108 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is looking at how certain gene changes in people with muscle-invasive bladder cancer might help doctors decide the best treatment options, like whether to remove the bladder or use a combination of chemotherapy and radiation, to improve outcomes for patients.

More Bladder Cancer research and trials

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionDana-Farber Cancer Inst
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Boston, United States)
Project startSeptember 22, 2022
Project endAugust 31, 2027
Funding year2024
Award (this year)$411,213
NIH project number5R01CA272657-03
Project IDNIH-10918108 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with muscle-invasive bladder cancer, particularly those with ERCC2 mutations.

Less likely to help

Patients with non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer or those without ERCC2 mutations may not benefit from this research.

What this research studies

This research investigates how deficiencies in the nucleotide excision repair (NER) pathway, specifically mutations in the ERCC2 gene, affect treatment outcomes for patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC). The study aims to determine if these mutations can serve as molecular biomarkers to guide treatment decisions between bladder removal and bladder-sparing chemoradiotherapy. By analyzing patient responses to cisplatin-based chemotherapy and clinical chemoradiotherapy regimens, the research seeks to enhance personalized treatment approaches for MIBC patients. The methodology includes examining tumor samples and treatment responses to identify patterns linked to ERCC2 mutations.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more personalized and effective treatment options for patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer.

How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that targeting DNA repair deficiencies can improve treatment responses in other cancers, suggesting potential success for this approach in bladder cancer.

Where this research is happening

  • Dana-Farber Cancer Inst
    Boston, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Mouw, Kent W — Dana-Farber Cancer Inst
  • Study coordinator: Mouw, Kent W

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.