Targetable Epigenetic and Immuno-Oncologic Vulnerabilities in Synovial Sarcoma
Official title: Project 3: Identifying Targetable Epigenetic and Immuno-Oncologic Vulnerabilities in Synovial Sarcoma
Funded at Sloan-Kettering Inst Can Research · NIH-11419133 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A cancer research project at Sloan Kettering aims to find epigenetic and immune vulnerabilities in synovial sarcoma to guide future treatments.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Sloan-Kettering Inst Can Research NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2018 |
| Project end | August 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $431,778 |
| NIH project number | 5P50CA217694-08 |
| Project ID | NIH-11419133 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with synovial sarcoma or with tumor samples expressing SS18::SSX fusions.
✕Less likely to help
Rarely, patients without synovial sarcoma or without relevant epigenetic/immune markers may not benefit from these findings.
What this research studies
Synovial sarcoma is driven by chromatin changes from the SS18::SSX fusion, and this project looks for weaknesses in that epigenetic regulation that could be targeted with therapies. The team will study how changes in histone modifications interact with immune-related factors and neoantigen presentation to identify potential combination approaches. Using editable cell models and clinical genomic data from patients with synovial sarcoma, the researchers plan to map vulnerabilities and test how epigenetic drugs might boost immune therapies. The goal is to lay groundwork for longer-lasting responses, especially in metastatic cases, by identifying actionable targets and synergies between epigenetic therapy and immunotherapy.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal new targets and combination strategies that improve long-term responses for patients with synovial sarcoma.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown that epigenetic modulation can influence immunotherapy responses in other cancers; this work builds on that concept in a sarcoma context.
Where this research is happening
-
Sloan-Kettering Inst Can Research
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ladanyi, Marc — Sloan-Kettering Inst Can Research
- Study coordinator: Ladanyi, Marc
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Sensor-based test for synovial sarcoma that detects SS18-SSX fusion mRNA and protein
A patient-friendly test is being developed to rapidly and precisely detect the SS18-SSX cancer hallmark in synovial sarcoma using a new nanopore sensing method.
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Finding drug and immune therapy targets for synovial sarcoma
This project looks for weaknesses in synovial sarcoma cells that new drugs or immune therapies could target for people with synovial sarcoma.
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Targeting a specific pathway to treat synovial sarcoma
This work explores a new way to stop synovial sarcoma, a type of cancer, by disrupting a process called SUMOylation.
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Disruption of a specific protein modification to treat synovial sarcoma
This study is exploring a new way to treat synovial sarcoma, a type of cancer that usually affects younger people, by using a special drug called TAK-981 to target a process that helps the cancer grow, with the hope of damaging the cancer cells and reducing tumors in mice.
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Finding treatment weaknesses in synovial sarcoma cancer cells
This study is looking at a type of cancer called synovial sarcoma to find out how certain genetic changes might make it more vulnerable to new treatments, especially by combining special therapies that target genes with those that help the immune system fight the cancer.
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Testing new therapies for pediatric and young adult sarcoma, kidney, and liver cancers
Researchers are testing new drugs and smart combinations in models of pediatric cancers to help guide future treatments for kids and young adults.
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.