Treating uterine (endometrial) cancer by targeting DNA damage and replication stress
Official title: Targeting Replication Stress and DNA Damage Response in Uterine Cancer
Funded at Dana-Farber Cancer Inst · NIH-11323893 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project develops new treatment approaches that exploit DNA repair weaknesses to help women with advanced or recurrent uterine (endometrial) cancer who need additional options.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P01 program project |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Dana-Farber Cancer Inst NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | May 1, 2024 |
| Project end | April 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $2,955,232 |
| NIH project number | 5P01CA269021-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11323893 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Women with advanced, recurrent, or treatment-resistant endometrial/uterine cancer who have limited standard therapy options would be the ideal candidates.
✕Less likely to help
People with early-stage endometrial cancer successfully treated with surgery alone or individuals with unrelated non-uterine conditions would not be expected to benefit from these approaches.
What this research studies
Researchers are developing three different ways to attack replication stress and DNA damage response problems that fuel aggressive endometrial cancers, using drug combinations, immune-related strategies, and laboratory models. They will study tumor samples and preclinical models to learn which approaches best kill cancer cells and why some tumors resist treatment. The team at Dana-Farber and Brigham and Women’s will move promising approaches toward early clinical testing and potential salvage therapies for women with advanced or relapsed disease. The work also examines tumor genetics (for example ARID1A and PI3K changes) to help match therapies to patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could produce new effective salvage therapies for women with advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer and improve survival and treatment options.
How similar studies have gone: Some therapies targeting DNA damage responses have shown promise in other cancer types, but applying and combining these strategies specifically for uterine cancer is relatively new and under active study.
Where this research is happening
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Dana-Farber Cancer Inst
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Matulonis, Ursula Anne — Dana-Farber Cancer Inst
- Study coordinator: Matulonis, Ursula Anne
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Modeling to Prevent and Control Uterine Cancer
A national modeling effort uses computer simulations to inform better prevention, screening, and treatment of uterine cancer for women.
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Comparative modeling to guide uterine cancer care
This grant uses computer models to help doctors and patients understand how to make better decisions about uterine cancer care.
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Using DNA damage drugs to help the immune system fight uterine cancer
This project combines drugs that increase tumor DNA damage with immunotherapy to help people with recurrent microsatellite-stable uterine cancer who haven't responded to current treatments.
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Dual ATR and PI3K-targeted therapy for uterine cancer
This project will try combining two drugs that block ATR and PI3K to better stop uterine cancers, especially tumors with ARID1A changes or other DNA replication stress.
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WEE1-targeted treatment for uterine serous and p53-mutant uterine cancer
Testing a drug that blocks the WEE1 protein to try to shrink uterine serous cancers and other uterine cancers with p53 mutations.
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Computer models to improve prevention and care for uterine (endometrial) cancer
Researchers are using computer models to compare prevention, screening, and treatment options for women at risk of or living with uterine cancer.
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.