Using MMS22L loss to improve PARP drug response in advanced prostate cancer
MMS22L loss and PARP inhibition in prostate cancer
This project aims to see if prostate cancers that lose a gene called MMS22L respond better to PARP-blocking drugs, to help men with advanced, treatment-resistant prostate cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Brigham and Women's Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11311273 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This work looks at whether loss of the MMS22L gene makes prostate tumors more sensitive to PARP inhibitors. Researchers will study tumor tissue and genetic data from patients and run experiments in lab-grown cancer cells and animal models to understand how MMS22L affects DNA repair. They will compare tumors with and without MMS22L loss to see if PARP blockers work better in those with the loss. The team will link lab findings back to patient samples to help guide future treatment options.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are men with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer whose tumors show MMS22L loss or other DNA-repair defects, especially after standard therapies have stopped working.
Not a fit: Patients whose tumors do not have MMS22L loss or other relevant DNA-repair defects are less likely to benefit from this PARP-focused approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could expand the group of prostate cancer patients who benefit from PARP inhibitors by adding MMS22L loss as a biomarker for treatment choice.
How similar studies have performed: PARP inhibitors have already shown benefit in prostate cancers with BRCA1/2 mutations, but using MMS22L loss as a marker is a newer and less-tested idea.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Brigham and Women's Hospital — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Jia, Li — Brigham and Women's Hospital
- Study coordinator: Jia, Li
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 below.