Award
NIH Reporter #5R37CA283552-03
Targeting DHX9 to trigger viral mimicry and immunotherapy responsiveness in Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC)
Recipient
Research Institute of Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA
Award Amount
$649,679.00
Ceiling
$649,679.00
Awarded
July 15, 2026
Identifier
5R37CA283552-03
This award supports research targeting the RNA/DNA helicase DHX9 to induce viral mimicry and enhance immunotherapy responsiveness in Small Cell Lung Cancer, aiming to overcome therapy resistance by activating innate immunity in tumor cells.
Description
Immunotherapy has revolutionized cancer treatment, but therapy resistance remains a significant problem. One promising strategy to trigger an immune response within tumors and enhance immunotherapy efficacy is by inducing the accumulation of endogenous ‘virus-mimetic’ nucleic acids in cancer cells. We have uncovered a novel viral mimicry-inducing factor, DHX9, involved in the suppression of double-stranded RNAs and RNA/DNA hybrids in cancer cells and aim to study how DHX9 controls these endogenous nucleic acids, as well as targeting DHX9 to enhance antitumor immunity and boost immunotherapy in ‘cold’ tumors, such as Small Cell Lung Cancer.