Making PARP Inhibitors Work for More Breast and Ovarian Cancers
Official title: Linking Epigenetic-Therapy Induction of Inflammasome Signaling to Generation of a BRCAness Phenotype
Funded at Coriell Institute for Medical Research · NIH-11140524 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This research explores how combining two types of medicines might help PARP inhibitors treat more people with breast and ovarian cancer, even if they don't have a specific genetic mutation.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Coriell Institute for Medical Research NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Camden, United States) |
| Project start | August 16, 2021 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $418,484 |
| NIH project number | 5P50CA254897-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11140524 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates would be patients with breast or ovarian cancer, particularly those whose tumors do not have BRCA mutations but could potentially benefit from this combination therapy.
✕Less likely to help
Patients whose cancer does not respond to either hypomethylating agents or PARP inhibitors, or the specific combination, may not receive benefit.
What this research studies
For many years, PARP inhibitors have been a valuable treatment for breast and ovarian cancers, especially for those with BRCA gene mutations. However, these treatments don't always work for everyone, and resistance can develop. Our team is looking into a new approach that combines a hypomethylating agent with a PARP inhibitor to make cancer cells more vulnerable. We believe this combination can create a "BRCAness" effect in tumors, making them respond better to treatment, even if they don't have a BRCA mutation. This approach has shown promise in early laboratory tests and is moving towards clinical trials to see if it can help more patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could expand the number of breast and ovarian cancer patients who can benefit from PARP inhibitor therapy, offering a new treatment option.
How similar studies have gone: Preclinical studies have shown promising results, and a phase I clinical trial has already been conducted, indicating some initial success with similar approaches.
Where this research is happening
-
Coriell Institute for Medical Research
Camden, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Nephew, Kenneth P — Coriell Institute for Medical Research
- Study coordinator: Nephew, Kenneth P
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.