Understanding how a DNA repair protein helps esophageal cancer resist treatment
Official title: Elucidating Novel APE1 Redox-Dependent Functions in Esophageal Adenocarcinoma
Funded at University of Miami School of Medicine · NIH-11362545 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new NIH grant is exploring how a DNA repair protein called APE1 helps esophageal cancer cells survive and resist chemotherapy in Barrett’s esophagus toward preventing or treating esophageal cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P01 program project |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Miami School of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Coral Gables, United States) |
| Project start | July 8, 2022 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $414,011 |
| NIH project number | 5P01CA268991-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11362545 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates include adults with Barrett’s esophagus or esophageal adenocarcinoma who may later benefit from targeted therapies influenced by redox biology.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without Barrett’s esophagus or esophageal cancer may not directly benefit from this mechanistic study.
What this research studies
This grant focuses on esophageal cancer risk linked with Barrett’s esophagus and GERD. It studies how APE1’s redox activity affects transcription factors and cancer cell survival under acid reflux–related stress. The work uses cellular and molecular approaches to connect redox changes to tumor behavior and treatment resistance. Findings could reveal new angles to target cancer cells more effectively in patients with Barrett’s esophagus. The research is conducted at the University of Miami and involves collaboration across related projects.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the research could lead to new ways to reduce tumor growth and improve responses to chemotherapy in patients with Barrett’s esophagus who are at risk for or have developed esophageal adenocarcinoma.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work suggests that redox regulation of transcription factors influences cancer cell survival, supporting potential for translational benefits.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Miami School of Medicine
Coral Gables, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: El-Rifai, Wael — University of Miami School of Medicine
- Study coordinator: El-Rifai, Wael
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Natural products to block IL-8 signaling and prevent Barrett's Esophagus from turning into esophageal cancer
A搜索-friendly plan to use safe natural compounds to interrupt a key inflammatory signal (IL-8) and stop Barrett’s esophagus from turning into esophageal cancer in people with GERD.
-
Overcoming Immunotherapy Resistance in Metastatic Gastric/Esophageal Cancer
A Mayo Clinic-led study aims to find better combos of immune therapy and standard treatment to help people with metastatic gastric and esophageal cancer who don’t respond well to current options.
-
NEK2's role in esophageal cancer development
A study looking at how the NEK2 protein contributes to the development and progression of esophageal adenocarcinoma in conditions like Barrett’s esophagus.
-
Understanding why some esophageal cancer patients don’t respond to chemoradiation
A research project at MD Anderson is looking at why esophageal cancer patients often don’t fully respond to chemoradiation and how tumor biology and the surrounding environment affect treatment.
-
AI-powered screening to detect Barrett’s esophagus and early esophageal cancer
A Mayo Clinic team is testing an AI-assisted tool that uses health data to identify people at risk for Barrett’s esophagus and early esophageal cancer so they can get timely endoscopic evaluation.
-
SOX4-driven transcription in esophageal cancer
Researchers are studying how a specific gene network drives esophageal cancer that can arise from Barrett's esophagus, aiming to uncover new targets for therapy.
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.