Advancing Precision Cancer Care Through Innovative Combination Therapy
University researcher partners with West Cancer Center on a Phase II clinical trial exploring a promising treatment approach for advanced cancers.
Researchers at the University of Memphis are contributing to the advancement of precision cancer medicine through a Phase II clinical trial evaluating a novel combination therapy for patients with advanced or metastatic cancers. Led by Dr. Fawaz Mzayek, Associate Professor of Epidemiology, the study is being conducted in collaboration with West Cancer Center & Research Institute and is sponsored by GlaxoSmithKline (GSK).
The clinical trial is investigating the safety and effectiveness of combining two anticancer therapies—niraparib and dostarlimab—to treat patients with metastatic, recurrent, or unresectable solid tumors that carry a specific genetic alteration known as homologous recombination deficiency (HRD). HRD mutations impair a cancer cell's ability to repair damaged DNA, making these tumors more susceptible to targeted therapies.
The two drugs work through complementary mechanisms. Niraparib blocks cancer cells from repairing DNA damage during cell division, increasing their vulnerability, while dostarlimab is an immunotherapy that activates the body's immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells. Researchers believe that combining these two approaches may produce a stronger therapeutic effect than either treatment alone.
The Phase II, open-label clinical trial will evaluate whether this combination therapy can improve outcomes for patients whose cancers have spread or cannot be surgically removed. If successful, the research could expand treatment options for individuals with difficult-to-treat cancers and provide new hope for patients who have limited therapeutic alternatives.
Through collaborations with leading clinical partners and industry, the University of Memphis continues to advance translational research that bridges scientific discovery and patient care. This study highlights the University's commitment to improving health outcomes through innovative research while contributing to the development of more personalized, effective cancer treatments.