Improving Solid Tumor Treatment with Combined Epigenetic Therapies

Epigenetic Synergy Between DNMT and EZH1/2 Inhibitors for Therapy in Solid Tumors

NIH-funded research Coriell Institute for Medical Research · NIH-11140522

This project looks at how combining two specific types of drugs can help improve the effectiveness of immunotherapy for patients with solid tumors.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionCoriell Institute for Medical Research NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Camden, United States)
Project IDNIH-11140522 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

We know that certain drugs, called DNA methyltransferase inhibitors (DNMTi), can help reverse abnormal changes in cancer cell DNA and might make immunotherapy more effective. However, these drugs often don't work as well as we'd like in solid tumors. This project explores combining DNMTi with another type of drug, EZH1/2 inhibitors, which may overcome the cancer's resistance to DNMTi. By using these two drugs together, we hope to reactivate important genes that fight cancer and improve the immune system's ability to attack tumors. Our goal is to understand how this drug combination works and determine if it can become a new treatment option for solid tumors, potentially even making immunotherapy more successful.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: This research is focused on patients with solid tumors who may benefit from improved epigenetic therapies and immunotherapy.

Not a fit: Patients with blood cancers or those whose tumors do not respond to epigenetic therapies or immunotherapy may not directly benefit from this specific approach.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this combination therapy could offer a new way to treat solid tumors, potentially making existing immunotherapies more effective for patients.

How similar studies have performed: DNMT inhibitors are FDA-approved and used clinically, and preliminary data suggests a synergistic effect when combined with EZH1/2 inhibitors, indicating this approach builds on existing knowledge.

Where this research is happening

Camden, United States

Researchers

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 below.
Conditions Cancer Suppressor GenesCancer cell lineCancers
Last reviewed 2026-06-15 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.