Understanding how a specific enzyme affects cancer growth and treatment resistance

Mechanisms of APOBEC3A-induced cancer evolution and cancer vulnerability

NIH-funded research Massachusetts General Hospital · NIH-11070389

This study is looking at how a protein called APOBEC3A affects lung cancer and its ability to resist treatment, so we can learn more about why some cancers don’t respond to drugs and find better ways to help patients.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionMassachusetts General Hospital NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Boston, United States)
Project IDNIH-11070389 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates the role of the APOBEC3A enzyme in cancer evolution and its contribution to resistance against targeted cancer therapies. By using lung cancer cell models, the study aims to explore how the expression of APOBEC3A changes during treatment and how it leads to mutations that make cancer cells resistant to drugs. The researchers will employ advanced techniques like CRISPR to eliminate APOBEC3A and observe the effects on drug resistance. Additionally, they will analyze the genomic and proteomic targets of this enzyme to better understand its impact on cancer progression.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are patients with lung cancer or other cancers where APOBEC3A is implicated in treatment resistance.

Not a fit: Patients who do not have cancers associated with APOBEC3A activity may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for overcoming drug resistance in cancer treatment.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown that targeting similar mechanisms in cancer evolution can lead to significant advancements in treatment strategies.

Where this research is happening

Boston, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions anti-cancerAnti-Cancer Agentsanti-cancer druganti-cancer therapy
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.