Investigating how the XPA protein affects DNA repair in cancer treatment
The XPA scaffold protein in Nucleotide Excision Repair
This study is looking at how changes in a protein called XPA affect the way our cells fix DNA damage, which is important for cancer treatment, and it aims to find out if certain mutations in this protein can help doctors choose better treatments for patients using drugs like cisplatin.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Vanderbilt University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Nashville, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-10931479 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding the role of the XPA scaffold protein in the process of nucleotide excision repair (NER), which is crucial for fixing DNA damage in cells. The study aims to explore how mutations in the XPA protein can lead to reduced DNA repair capacity, potentially making cancer cells more sensitive to treatments like cisplatin. By screening for specific mutations in XPA, researchers hope to identify which alterations may correlate with improved responses to platinum-based therapies. This could provide insights into tailoring cancer treatments based on individual genetic profiles.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are cancer patients with specific mutations in the XPA gene or those undergoing treatment with platinum-based chemotherapy.
Not a fit: Patients without cancer or those whose tumors do not involve nucleotide excision repair mechanisms may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective cancer treatments by identifying patients who are more likely to respond to platinum-based therapies.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown that targeting DNA repair mechanisms can enhance the effectiveness of cancer treatments, indicating a promising avenue for this approach.
Where this research is happening
Nashville, UNITED STATES
- Vanderbilt University — Nashville, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Chazin, Walter J. — Vanderbilt University
- Study coordinator: Chazin, Walter 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 below.