Improving treatments for BRCA-related cancers
Targeting base damage repair in BRCA-mutant cancers
This research explores new ways to make treatments more effective and reduce side effects for people with BRCA-mutant ovarian and breast cancers.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R37 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11132809 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Current treatments for BRCA-mutant ovarian and breast cancers, called PARP inhibitors, often face challenges like drug resistance and unwanted side effects. Our team and others recently discovered that when a specific enzyme, ALC1, is missing, BRCA-mutant cancer cells become much more sensitive to PARP inhibitors, even at very low doses. This also helps overcome resistance to these therapies. This project aims to understand exactly how ALC1 loss makes cancer cells more vulnerable to PARP inhibitors. By uncovering these mechanisms, we hope to develop better strategies to improve PARP inhibitor therapy for patients.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This research is most relevant to patients with BRCA-mutant ovarian and breast cancers who may experience resistance to current PARP inhibitor treatments.
Not a fit: Patients whose cancers are not BRCA-mutant or who are not treated with PARP inhibitors may not directly benefit from this specific research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new treatment strategies that make existing therapies more effective, reduce side effects, and overcome drug resistance for patients with BRCA-mutant cancers.
How similar studies have performed: This approach builds on recent findings by the researchers and others, suggesting a novel pathway to improve PARP inhibitor effectiveness.
Where this research is happening
Saint Louis, United States
- Washington University — Saint Louis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Verma, Priyanka — Washington University
- Study coordinator: Verma, Priyanka
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.