Investigating new treatments for cancer by targeting DNA methylation
Official title: Preclinical studies of non-nucleoside DNMT3A/3B inhibitors
Funded at University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr · NIH-11004100 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking for new treatments for leukemia and other cancers by finding safe and effective compounds that can block certain enzymes involved in gene regulation, which are often out of balance in cancer cells.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project start | December 19, 2023 |
| Project end | November 30, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $189,338 |
| NIH project number | 5R21CA277152-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11004100 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia or other cancers characterized by aberrant DNA methylation.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with solid tumors that do not exhibit DNA methylation abnormalities may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing non-nucleoside inhibitors that target specific enzymes involved in DNA methylation, which is a key process in regulating gene expression and chromatin structure. The study aims to identify promising compounds that can effectively inhibit DNMT3A and DNMT3B, enzymes that are often dysregulated in cancer cells. By exploring these inhibitors, the research seeks to provide a safer and more effective treatment option for patients with various types of leukemia and potentially other cancers. The approach involves preclinical studies to evaluate the efficacy and safety of these new compounds before they can be tested in humans.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective and less toxic cancer treatments for patients with acute myeloid leukemia and other malignancies.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in targeting DNA methylation for cancer treatment, but this specific approach using non-nucleoside inhibitors is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr
Houston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Cheng, Xiaodong — University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr
- Study coordinator: Cheng, Xiaodong
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.