Understanding why some BRCA mutant cancers resist treatment
Official title: Investigating replication gap suppression in distinct modelsof chemoresistant BRCA mutant cancers
Funded at Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester · NIH-11070524 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking into why some people with hereditary breast and ovarian cancers linked to BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations don’t respond well to treatment, and it aims to find ways to make those treatments work better for them.
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 12, 2025 |
| Project end | May 11, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $33,784 |
| NIH project number | 1F31CA288119-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11070524 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with hereditary breast or ovarian cancers that have BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without BRCA mutations or those with non-hereditary forms of breast or ovarian cancer may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to uncover the reasons behind treatment resistance in hereditary breast and ovarian cancers caused by BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations. The team will investigate how certain DNA repair mechanisms contribute to this resistance, focusing on the role of single-stranded DNA gaps. By studying different cancer models, they hope to identify specific factors that can be targeted to improve treatment outcomes for patients with these mutations. This work could lead to new strategies to overcome resistance and enhance the effectiveness of existing therapies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatment options for patients with BRCA mutant cancers, potentially overcoming resistance to current therapies.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding treatment resistance in BRCA mutant cancers, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester
Worcester, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Macgilvary, Nathan — Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester
- Study coordinator: Macgilvary, Nathan
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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.