Investigating how deoxyuridine contamination affects immune signaling in cancer treatment
Official title: Deoxyuridine Contamination and Innate Immune Signaling
Funded at University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh · NIH-11164077 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a substance called deoxyuridine, which can build up in DNA during chemotherapy, affects the body's immune response, and it hopes to find ways to improve cancer treatments for patients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project start | April 3, 2025 |
| Project end | March 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $642,394 |
| NIH project number | 1R01CA294651-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11164077 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy that involves antimetabolites.
✕Less likely to help
Patients not receiving chemotherapy or those with conditions unrelated to DNA replication may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research explores the effects of deoxyuridine (dU) contamination in DNA, which can occur during chemotherapy treatments that target DNA replication. It focuses on how this contamination influences innate immune responses, particularly through the action of ATR inhibitors that can increase dU levels in DNA. By examining the relationship between dU contamination and immune signaling, the study aims to understand how these factors interact and potentially impact cancer treatment outcomes. Patients may benefit from insights that could lead to improved therapeutic strategies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could enhance the effectiveness of cancer treatments by optimizing the use of chemotherapy and improving immune responses.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the relationship between DNA damage and immune responses, suggesting that this approach may yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bakkenist, Christopher J. — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Bakkenist, Christopher 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.