New highly selective PARP1 inhibitors for brain cancers and beyond
Official title: Discovery of novel pentacyclic indolocyclopentaphthalazinone PARP1 inhibitors
Funded at St. John's University · NIH-11423718 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new class of PARP1 inhibitors is being developed to treat cancers with BRCA defects by targeting PARP1 more selectively and avoiding brain toxicity and drug resistance.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | St. John's University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Queens, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2026 |
| Project end | April 30, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $150,000 |
| NIH project number | 1R16GM165398-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11423718 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with BRCA-deficient cancers or other DNA damage repair–defective tumors may be candidates for future trials based on this work.
✕Less likely to help
If a patient's tumor is driven by mechanisms other than PARP1 dependence, they may not benefit from this approach.
What this research studies
This project aims to create a novel family of PARP1 inhibitors that are highly selective for PARP1 over PARP2 and other PARPs, with reduced trapping and better brain penetration. Researchers will design, synthesize, and test these compounds using 3-D cell culture models and relevant animal models to evaluate efficacy and safety. The work focuses on overcoming existing limitations such as transporter-based drug efflux and BBB access to provide potentially more effective and tolerable treatments for patients with DNA repair–defective cancers.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could benefit from more effective PARP1-targeted therapies with fewer side effects and better activity in brain tumors.
How similar studies have gone: Previous PARP inhibitors have shown clinical benefit but with limitations; this project proposes a more selective approach that could improve outcomes and reduce toxicity.
Where this research is happening
-
St. John's University
Queens, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Talele, Tanaji T — St. John's University
- Study coordinator: Talele, Tanaji T
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.