Investigating a unique DNA repair issue in Ewing sarcoma
Official title: Exploiting a Novel DNA Repair Defect in Ewing Sarcoma
Funded at Dana-Farber Cancer Inst · NIH-11024979 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how Ewing sarcoma, a bone cancer that mainly affects teens and young adults, can be treated better by understanding why some DNA repair processes don't work properly in the cancer cells, and it hopes to find new ways to improve treatment for patients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Dana-Farber Cancer Inst NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | December 4, 2024 |
| Project end | November 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $523,292 |
| NIH project number | 1R01CA296618-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11024979 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adolescents and young adults diagnosed with Ewing sarcoma, particularly those with metastatic or relapsed disease.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with other types of cancers or those who do not have Ewing sarcoma may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on Ewing sarcoma, a type of bone cancer that primarily affects adolescents and young adults. It aims to understand how certain DNA repair mechanisms fail in Ewing sarcoma cells, particularly looking at a defect in Microhomology-Mediated End-Joining (MMEJ). By studying the role of specific proteins involved in DNA repair, the research seeks to identify new treatment strategies that could enhance the effectiveness of existing therapies. Patients may be involved in trials that explore these novel approaches to improve outcomes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective treatments for Ewing sarcoma, potentially improving survival rates for affected patients.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown promise in targeting DNA repair defects in cancer, suggesting that this approach could lead to significant advancements in treatment.
Where this research is happening
-
Dana-Farber Cancer Inst
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: D'andrea, Alan D. — Dana-Farber Cancer Inst
- Study coordinator: D'andrea, Alan D.
Related research
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AI-powered prognostic model for Ewing sarcoma using digital pathology
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RAPID: A patient-centered, fast-tracked drug trial platform for young people with relapsed Ewing sarcoma and DSRCT
A patient-friendly, open-label phase 2 platform trial tests promising drug combinations for teens and young adults whose Ewing sarcoma or DSRCT has come back or not responded to treatment.
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TGFβ brakes immune evasion and metastasis in Ewing sarcoma during radiation
A physician-scientist will study whether blocking TGFβ during radiation can help CAR T cells fight Ewing sarcoma and improve patient outcomes.
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Function and Targeting of ETV6 in Ewing Sarcoma
A scientist at Case Western Reserve University is studying a specific protein, ETV6, that helps a rare bone cancer called Ewing sarcoma, with the goal of finding targeted therapies that could spare healthy cells.
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Targeting immune markers in Ewing Sarcoma to guide safer, more effective therapies
A funded project at Stanford aims to use immune markers on Ewing Sarcoma to develop targeted immunotherapies that work in children and adults with this cancer.
-
Ewing sarcoma: how DNA repair weaknesses affect risk and treatment
A clinician-researcher team at Dana-Farber is studying how DNA damage repair weaknesses help drive Ewing sarcoma in kids and teens, with the goal of better predicting risk and guiding therapy.
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.