Making high grade serous cancers more responsive to immunotherapy by inducing DNA damage

Sensitizing high grade serous cancers to immunotherapy through the induction of DNA damage

NIH-funded research Roswell Park Cancer Institute Corp · NIH-10915634

This study is looking at ways to make immunotherapy work better for patients with high grade serous carcinoma by focusing on how their cancer repairs DNA, hoping to turn tumors that don’t respond to treatment into ones that do, which could open up new options for those who need them.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionRoswell Park Cancer Institute Corp NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Buffalo, United States)
Project IDNIH-10915634 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates how to enhance the effectiveness of immunotherapy for patients with high grade serous carcinoma (HGSC) by targeting DNA damage repair mechanisms. The team aims to understand the relationship between DNA damage repair and the immune response in these cancers, focusing on a specific pathway called non-homologous end joining (NHEJ). By inhibiting this pathway, the researchers hope to convert 'cold' tumors, which do not respond well to treatment, into 'hot' tumors that are more susceptible to immunotherapy. This approach could lead to new treatment strategies for patients who currently have limited options.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with high grade serous carcinoma, particularly those who have not responded to existing immunotherapy or PARP inhibitor treatments.

Not a fit: Patients with other types of cancer or those whose high grade serous carcinoma is already effectively treated with current therapies may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide new treatment options for patients with high grade serous carcinoma, improving their response to immunotherapy.

How similar studies have performed: While the approach of targeting DNA damage repair in cancer treatment is being explored, this specific strategy focusing on NHEJ and its link to immunotherapy is relatively novel.

Where this research is happening

Buffalo, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.