WEE1-targeted treatment for uterine serous and p53-mutant uterine cancer
Official title: Targeting WEE1 in uterine serous or p53-mutated uterine cancer
Funded at Dana-Farber Cancer Inst · NIH-11323894 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Testing a drug that blocks the WEE1 protein to try to shrink uterine serous cancers and other uterine cancers with p53 mutations.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P01 program project |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Dana-Farber Cancer Inst NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | May 1, 2024 |
| Project end | April 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $597,305 |
| NIH project number | 5P01CA269021-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11323894 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are people with uterine serous carcinoma or uterine cancers confirmed to have TP53 (p53) mutations, especially those with recurrent or advanced disease who may have had prior treatments.
✕Less likely to help
People with other uterine cancer subtypes without p53 mutations, early-stage disease not requiring systemic therapy, or those medically unable to undergo treatment may not benefit from this approach.
What this research studies
If you join, researchers will give or study drugs that block the WEE1 protein pathway in people with uterine serous cancer or uterine cancers that have p53 mutations. They will combine laboratory work on tumor samples and models with clinical data from patients to see how tumors respond. The team will look for molecular markers (like TP53, CCNE1, KRAS, MYC changes) that might predict who benefits. Earlier work at this center showed clinical activity for a WEE1 drug, and this project aims to better match patients to effective treatments and test ways to overcome resistance.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could provide a new targeted treatment option that shrinks tumors and improves outcomes for people with aggressive uterine serous or p53-mutant uterine cancers.
How similar studies have gone: A prior clinical trial of the WEE1 inhibitor adavosertib at this institution showed meaningful activity (about a 29% response rate), but clear molecular predictors of response remain unconfirmed.
Where this research is happening
-
Dana-Farber Cancer Inst
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Liu, Joyce — Dana-Farber Cancer Inst
- Study coordinator: Liu, Joyce
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Modeling to Prevent and Control Uterine Cancer
A national modeling effort uses computer simulations to inform better prevention, screening, and treatment of uterine cancer for women.
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Comparative modeling to guide uterine cancer care
This grant uses computer models to help doctors and patients understand how to make better decisions about uterine cancer care.
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Using DNA damage drugs to help the immune system fight uterine cancer
This project combines drugs that increase tumor DNA damage with immunotherapy to help people with recurrent microsatellite-stable uterine cancer who haven't responded to current treatments.
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Dual ATR and PI3K-targeted therapy for uterine cancer
This project will try combining two drugs that block ATR and PI3K to better stop uterine cancers, especially tumors with ARID1A changes or other DNA replication stress.
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Treating uterine (endometrial) cancer by targeting DNA damage and replication stress
This project develops new treatment approaches that exploit DNA repair weaknesses to help women with advanced or recurrent uterine (endometrial) cancer who need additional options.
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Computer models to improve prevention and care for uterine (endometrial) cancer
Researchers are using computer models to compare prevention, screening, and treatment options for women at risk of or living with uterine cancer.
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.