Understanding how BRCA2 affects cancer treatment response
Official title: Mapping the BRCA2 replication gap suppression domain to uncover themolecular mechanism of chemotherapy response
Funded at Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester · NIH-11088824 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how the BRCA2 gene affects cancer cells' reactions to chemotherapy, aiming to find out which specific functions of this gene can help doctors make better treatment decisions for patients with BRCA mutations.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Worcester, United States) |
| Project start | May 1, 2023 |
| Project end | April 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $80,224 |
| NIH project number | 5F32CA268524-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11088824 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with hereditary breast and ovarian cancer linked to BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without BRCA mutations or those with other types of cancer may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the role of the BRCA2 gene in how cancer cells respond to chemotherapy, particularly focusing on the mechanisms that make these cells vulnerable to treatment. By examining the functions of homologous recombination, fork protection, and gap suppression in BRCA2, the study aims to identify which of these functions is crucial for resistance to therapies like cisplatin and PARP inhibitors. The approach involves systematically disrupting and retaining these functions in laboratory models to uncover the underlying mechanisms of treatment response. This could lead to better-informed therapeutic choices for patients with BRCA mutations.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective cancer treatments tailored for patients with BRCA mutations.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the mechanisms of chemotherapy response in BRCA-deficient cancers, indicating that this approach has potential for success.
Where this research is happening
-
Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester
Worcester, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Whalen, Jenna — Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester
- Study coordinator: Whalen, Jenna
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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.