TRIM28 Inhibition for NOTCH2-Mutant Small Cell Lung Cancer
Official title: TRIM28 Inhibition as a Synthetic Lethal Strategy for Small Cell Lung Cancers with NOTCH2-Inactivation
Funded at Dana-Farber Cancer Inst · NIH-11430295 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new approach aims to exploit a weakness in a subset of small cell lung cancer by turning on immune-related signals when NOTCH2 is lost, potentially making tumors more visible to the immune system.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Dana-Farber Cancer Inst NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $609,130 |
| NIH project number | 1R01CA316481-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11430295 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with small cell lung cancer, particularly those whose tumors have NOTCH2 loss or related molecular features, may be eligible for future trials or sample donation.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without NOTCH2 alterations or those whose tumors do not engage the proposed pathway might not benefit.
What this research studies
This research explores how disabling TRIM28 could create an inflammatory, immune-friendly state in NOTCH2-mutant small cell lung cancer cells. By using CRISPR/Cas9 screens, the team looks for genes that become essential when NOTCH2 is lost and tests these ideas in human and mouse cancer cell lines. The goal is to see whether TRIM28 inhibition can trigger tumor cell death through immune pathways and identify any drugs that could block the necessary signaling steps. If successful, the work could point to new combinations that help the immune system recognize and attack these tough cancers.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could lead to new treatment strategies that make NOTCH2-mutant small cell lung cancers more responsive to immunotherapy.
How similar studies have gone: Prior studies identified a synthetic lethal interaction between NOTCH2 loss and TRIM28, with some evidence in cell models supporting an inflammatory tumor state.
Where this research is happening
-
Dana-Farber Cancer Inst
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Oser, Matthew Gilbert — Dana-Farber Cancer Inst
- Study coordinator: Oser, Matthew Gilbert
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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.