Turning cancer cells' hidden viral-like regions back on to boost immune attack
Targeting the FBXO44/SUV39H1 Pathway in Cancer
This work aims to switch on normally silent viral-like parts of tumor DNA to help the immune system attack cancers in people.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11231665 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you have cancer, the researchers found a protein called FBXO44 that keeps large portions of tumor DNA silent. Blocking FBXO44 and its partner SUV39H1 in lab models turns those repetitive elements back on, causing stress in cancer cells and triggering antiviral pathways that reduce tumor growth and improve responses to immunotherapy. The team also looked at human tumor data and saw tumors with high FBXO44 tend to have less immune cell infiltration. Importantly, early lab tests showed normal cells were not harmed when this pathway was blocked, supporting further preclinical development toward combination treatments with immune checkpoint therapies.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with cancers whose tumors show high FBXO44/SUV39H1 activity or who are receiving immunotherapy could be the most likely candidates.
Not a fit: Patients whose tumors do not depend on FBXO44/SUV39H1-mediated silencing or who have severely compromised immune systems may not benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could make tumors more visible to immune cells and increase the effectiveness of immunotherapy.
How similar studies have performed: Other epigenetic 'viral mimicry' approaches have shown promise in lab studies and early clinical trials, but directly targeting FBXO44/SUV39H1 is a novel strategy.
Where this research is happening
La Jolla, United States
- Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute — La Jolla, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Spruck, Charles H. — Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute
- Study coordinator: Spruck, Charles H.
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 below.