Using the cell's double-stranded RNA alarm to target cancers caused by PRC2 loss
Harnessing double stranded-RNA (dsRNA)-response and anti-tumor effect in PRC2-inactivated cancer
Researchers are developing treatments that trigger a double-stranded RNA immune alarm to help the immune system attack cancers that have lost PRC2, such as certain nerve sheath and breast tumors.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Sloan-Kettering Inst Can Research NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11284004 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Some aggressive tumors lose PRC2, a regulator that normally helps keep cancer cells from activating development programs and hiding from the immune system. In lab dishes and mouse models, scientists are using drugs that remove DNA methylation (for example decitabine) or block DNMT1, and are testing immunogenic virus approaches to turn on double-stranded RNA signaling. Those changes can make the tumor microenvironment less immune‑cold and may restore response to immunotherapy. The goal is to find drug or combination strategies that kill PRC2-deficient tumors and pave the way toward clinical testing.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Patients with tumors confirmed to have PRC2 loss (for example biallelic inactivation of EED or SUZ12), including many malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors and some breast cancers, would be most relevant.
Not a fit: Patients whose cancers retain normal PRC2 function or whose tumors are driven by unrelated biology are unlikely to benefit from these specific approaches.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could produce new treatments that make PRC2-deficient tumors visible to the immune system and more responsive to therapy, addressing hard-to-treat cancers like high-grade MPNST.
How similar studies have performed: Preclinical studies, including work with decitabine and viral mimics, have shown promise in reactivating viral‑mimicry dsRNA responses and improving immune activity in lab and animal models, but clinical evidence is still limited.
Where this research is happening
New York, United States
- Sloan-Kettering Inst Can Research — New York, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Chi, Ping — Sloan-Kettering Inst Can Research
- Study coordinator: Chi, Ping
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.