Targeting DDX19A to fight Ewing sarcoma
Official title: Transcriptional overload: unlocking a new anti-cancer paradigm by targeting DDX19A
Funded at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital · NIH-11450708 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new approach aims to block a protein called DDX19A that helps certain bone cancers grow, with the goal of stopping cancer cells from overreacting and dying off when treated.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | St. Jude Children's Research Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Memphis, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2026 |
| Project end | June 30, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $647,502 |
| NIH project number | 1R01CA308413-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11450708 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Children and young adults with Ewing sarcoma or related bone cancers could potentially benefit from future developments arising from this research.
✕Less likely to help
Early-stage research may not yet translate to direct benefits for patients in the near term.
What this research studies
This project at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital looks at how turning down DDX19A affects Ewing sarcoma cells. Researchers will study how DDX19A normally keeps transcription in check and whether blocking it can trigger cancer cell death by overwhelming their gene-reading system. They will build and test small molecules that can specifically inhibit DDX19A to see if they can selectively kill cancer cells without harming normal cells. The work combines biology experiments with medicinal chemistry to refine promising compounds for potential future use in patients. The ultimate aim is to identify a new, targeted way to treat a difficult pediatric bone cancer.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could lead to a new targeted treatment for Ewing sarcoma by disrupting DDX19A and provoking cancer cell death.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research shows that manipulating transcriptional regulators can influence cancer cell survival, but targeting DDX19A is a novel approach with limited clinical data.
Where this research is happening
-
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
Memphis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Guenther, Lillian M — St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
- Study coordinator: Guenther, Lillian M
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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.