Potent, cancer-targeted inhibitors of SUV39H1 to boost immune attack on tumors
Official title: Discovery of Potent Selective Inhibitors of the Histone Methyltransferase SUV39H1 for the Treatment of Cancer
Funded at Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute · NIH-11377456 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new drug approach aims to turn difficult cancers into ones that the immune system can better fight by disabling a key protein called SUV39H1.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $809,234 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA286431-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11377456 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with cancers that are treated with immunotherapies and may benefit from combined strategies could be eligible in future trials.
✕Less likely to help
If the cancer does not rely on ERV/retrotransposon silencing or if SUV39H1 inhibitors are not effective, patients may not experience benefit.
What this research studies
This grant focuses on creating selective inhibitors of SUV39H1 to reactivate dormant genetic elements in cancer cells, which can wake up immune signals and attract immune cells to tumors. The project uses preclinical models to show that blocking SUV39H1 makes tumors more visible to the immune system and may work with existing immunotherapies. Researchers will test compound potency, selectivity, and how these inhibitors influence cancer cell behavior and immune pathways. If successful, this work could pave the way for combination therapies that help patients whose cancers do not currently respond well to today’s immunotherapies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could benefit from new drugs that enhance their immune system’s ability to attack cancer, potentially improving responses to immunotherapy.
How similar studies have gone: Preclinical studies have shown that inhibiting SUV39H1 can convert tumors from “cold” to “hot” and sensitize them to immunotherapies, supporting a plausible pathway for benefit.
Where this research is happening
-
Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute
La Jolla, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Spruck, Charles H. — Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute
- Study coordinator: Spruck, Charles H.
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.