Understanding a factor's role in side effects from cancer radiation and drug therapy
The role of HPF1 in radiation and genotoxic cancer therapy
This project aims to understand why certain cancer treatments, like radiation and PARP inhibitors, can cause severe anemia and other blood problems, hoping to make these therapies safer for patients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Columbia University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11110388 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Cancer treatments such as radiation and PARP inhibitor drugs are effective, but they can lead to serious side effects like severe anemia or conditions similar to leukemia (MDS/AML). These problems occur because the treatments can damage healthy cells, especially those in the bone marrow. Our goal is to uncover why these specific therapies cause these particular blood-related issues more than other treatments. We are focusing on a newly identified factor called HPF1, which helps regulate how cells repair DNA damage. By understanding HPF1's role, we hope to develop ways to protect patients from these harmful side effects while still effectively treating their cancer.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Patients undergoing radiation therapy or treatment with PARP inhibitors for cancer, especially those at risk for or experiencing severe bone marrow side effects, could eventually benefit from this research.
Not a fit: Patients not receiving radiation or PARP inhibitor therapies, or those with cancers unrelated to the mechanisms being studied, would likely not directly benefit from this specific research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new strategies to reduce severe anemia and other bone marrow toxicities in patients receiving radiation or PARP inhibitor therapies.
How similar studies have performed: While PARP inhibitors are promising cancer treatments, the specific role of HPF1 in their side effects is a novel area of investigation.
Where this research is happening
New York, United States
- Columbia University Health Sciences — New York, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zha, Shan — Columbia University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Zha, Shan
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.