Targeting a specific pathway to treat synovial sarcoma
Official title: SUMOylation disruption is toxic for SS18-SSX-driven synovial sarcoma
Funded at Virginia Commonwealth University · NIH-11158588 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This work explores a new way to stop synovial sarcoma, a type of cancer, by disrupting a process called SUMOylation.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Virginia Commonwealth University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Richmond, United States) |
| Project start | August 2, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $547,288 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA272710-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11158588 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with synovial sarcoma driven by the SS18-SSX genetic change, particularly those for whom current treatments are not effective, could potentially benefit from future therapies developed from this research.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with other types of cancer or synovial sarcoma not driven by the SS18-SSX fusion may not directly benefit from this specific approach.
What this research studies
Synovial sarcoma is a challenging cancer, especially for young people, with limited treatment options and a high chance of spreading. This project focuses on the unique genetic change that drives this cancer, called SS18-SSX, which currently has no targeted therapies. Researchers have found that blocking a process called SUMOylation could disrupt how SS18-SSX works, potentially damaging cancer cells. The team is testing a medication, TAK-981, that can block SUMOylation to see if it can shrink synovial sarcoma tumors.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to the first targeted therapy for synovial sarcoma, offering a new and more effective treatment option for patients.
How similar studies have gone: This approach identifies a novel synthetic lethality for SS18-SSX in synovial sarcoma, and early findings show promising results in preclinical models using an existing drug.
Where this research is happening
-
Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Faber, Anthony Charles — Virginia Commonwealth University
- Study coordinator: Faber, Anthony Charles
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Targetable Epigenetic and Immuno-Oncologic Vulnerabilities in Synovial Sarcoma
A cancer research project at Sloan Kettering aims to find epigenetic and immune vulnerabilities in synovial sarcoma to guide future treatments.
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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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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.