Using folate and vitamin C to treat cancers with BRCA1/2 mutations
Official title: Targeting BRCA1/2-deficient cancers with folate and vitamin C
Funded at Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ · NIH-11057681 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new treatment that combines high doses of vitamin C and another substance to help fight breast and ovarian cancers linked to BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutations, aiming to find a better way to help patients whose cancer cells struggle to fix DNA damage.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R03 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2024 |
| Project end | March 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $84,750 |
| NIH project number | 5R03CA289863-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11057681 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with breast or ovarian cancers that have BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without BRCA1/2 mutations or those with other types of cancer may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates a new treatment approach for cancers that have mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, which are often linked to breast and ovarian cancers. The study aims to combine high doses of tetrahydrofolate (THF) and vitamin C (VC) to create substances that can selectively kill cancer cells lacking the ability to repair DNA damage. By understanding how these compounds work together, the researchers hope to improve treatment outcomes for patients with BRCA1/2-deficient cancers. The approach has shown promise in preliminary studies with mice, suggesting it could be a viable option for human patients in the future.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a new targeted therapy that improves survival rates for patients with BRCA1/2-deficient cancers.
How similar studies have gone: Preliminary studies have shown success in using similar approaches with animal models, indicating potential for effectiveness in humans.
Where this research is happening
-
Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Blenis, John — Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ
- Study coordinator: Blenis, John
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.