Targeting HSPA Proteins to Help Women with Advanced or Recurrent Endometrial Cancer
Official title: Project 1: Targeting HSPA Proteins in Advanced and Recurrent Endometrial Cancer Therapy
Funded at Washington University · NIH-11421859 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Aims to test a drug called SHetA2 that may slow or stop growth of advanced endometrial cancer by targeting cancer-friendlier proteins, with a focus on reducing treatment toxicity.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project start | August 23, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $212,525 |
| NIH project number | 5P50CA265793-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11421859 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Women with advanced, recurrent, or persistent endometrial cancer who have limited treatment options.
✕Less likely to help
Patients whose cancer does not rely on the targeted HSPA pathways or who cannot tolerate SHetA2 may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project focuses on a specific type of gynecologic cancer that is hard to treat when advanced or recurrent. Researchers have connected high activity of certain heat shock proteins (HSPA5, HSPA8, HSPA9) with cancer cell survival and developed SHetA2 to disrupt those protein complexes. The work builds on preclinical data and a Phase 1 trial in gynecologic cancers, aiming to translate findings into safer, more effective therapy for patients. The study will use laboratory and animal models to understand how SHetA2 works and how it might be combined with other treatments to improve outcomes. If successful, it could lead to new options for women who have limited choices today.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could gain a more effective and less toxic treatment option for advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer.
How similar studies have gone: Prior studies have shown SHetA2 can affect cancer cells with limited harm to healthy cells, supporting further development.
Where this research is happening
-
Washington University
Saint Louis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Benbrook, Doris Mangiaracina — Washington University
- Study coordinator: Benbrook, Doris Mangiaracina
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Prognostic tools to guide adjuvant therapy for Black women after hysterectomy for endometrial cancer
A new project aims to create and validate easy-to-use tools that help doctors tailor post-surgery treatment for Black women with endometrial cancer.
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Understanding why guideline-concordant endometrial cancer treatment varies in high-risk groups
This project looks at why some patients with endometrial cancer don’t receive care that follows national guidelines, aiming to find ways to ensure more patients get the best-supported treatments.
-
Targeting hormone resistance to prevent endometrial cancer
Aims to boost progesterone’s cancer-preventing effect in the lining of the uterus to stop cancer from developing in people at risk, especially those who are obese or young.
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Inhibiting AXL to Improve Treatment Response in Endometrial Cancer
A cancer treatment study is testing whether blocking AXL with batiraxcept together with standard chemotherapy can help people with certain aggressive uterine cancers respond better.
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Endometrial Cancer SPORE: New strategies to prevent and treat endometrial cancer
A multi-institution program is testing new ways to prevent and treat endometrial cancer in people, with three linked projects and multiple cores to support translational research.
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Obesity-related metabolic changes and disparities in endometrial cancer
This project looks at why endometrial cancer is worse for Black women and whether obesity-related metabolic changes drive the disease, with aims to find ways to prevent or slow progression.
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.