Researchers at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute are working to advance the care and treatment of NUT carcinoma patients through clinical trials and the latest new therapies, often stemming from research from our very own labs. Active areas of research include early detection, understanding the molecular mechanisms of NUT carcinoma in order to identify new therapeutic targets, and improving treatment efficacy by exploring different combinations of chemotherapy and BET inhibitors.
Clinical Trials for NUT Carcinoma
Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer Center (DF/HCC) offers one of the largest and most active clinical trial programs available, including trials for people with NUT carcinoma. We encourage our patients' participation in clinical trials. For some people with advanced or recurrent cases of NUT carcinoma, taking part in a clinical trial may be the best treatment option.
NUT carcinoma is an area of active research and DF/HCC is leading the way in developing new treatment approaches. If you qualify for a clinical trial, your doctor and treatment team will discuss all the options and risks associated with clinical trial participation.
The International NUT Carcinoma Registry
The International NUT Carcinoma Registry works to collect data on patients with NUT carcinoma. This data is crucial for supporting future research and paving the way for scientific discoveries regarding the diagnosis. Patients of all ages from anywhere in the world may participate. For more information or to enroll, please visit the registry website.
Support NUT Carcinoma Research
Your support can help advance research and provide care for individuals with NUT carcinoma, contributing toward:
- Identifying new biological targets for drugs or interventions against the disease.
- Evaluating new therapies to treat NUT carcinoma patients.
- Maintaining a NUT carcinoma tumor tissue bank. Tumor tissue banks give researchers access to tissue for laboratory testing and are critical for the development of new treatment strategies.
- Increasing advocacy and awareness efforts.
- Creating an official center for NUT carcinoma, with the potential for naming opportunities.
Learn how you can support NUT carcinoma research by contacting Jeff Bennett in Dana-Farber's Division of Philanthropy at jeffrey_bennett1@dfci.harvard.edu or 857-215-0384.
Recent Research on NUT Carcinoma
Papers
Hiding in Plain Sight: NUT Carcinoma Is an Unrecognized Subtype of Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Lungs and Head and Neck. (Perspective).
Luo J*, Bishop J, DuBois SG, Hanna GJ, Sholl LM, Stelow EB, Thompson LDR, Shapiro GI, French CA*. Nature Reviews Clinical Oncology. 2025 in press.
Multiomic Characterization and Molecular Profiling of Nuclear Protein in Testis Carcinoma.
Kroening G*, Luo J*, Evans MG, Adeyelu T, Ou SI, Arter ZL, Wise-Draper TM, Sukari A, Azmi AS, Braxton DR, Elliott A, Bryant DA, Oberley MJ, Kim C, Shapiro GI, French CA, Nagasaka M. JCO Precision Oncology. 2024 Oct;8:e2400334. doi: 10.1200/PO.24.00334. PMID: 39447095; PMCID: PMC11520346.
Novel BRD2::NUTM1 Fusion in NUT Carcinoma with Exceptional Response to Chemotherapy: A Case Report.
Wu SJ*, Kim JJ*, Huang Y, Durall RT, Becker S, Canty S, Molinaro S, Pisick E, Shapiro GI, French CA, Luo J. JTO Clinical and Research Reports. 2023 Dec 23;5(1):100625. doi: 10.1016/j.jtocrr.2023.100625. PMID: 38287941; PMCID: PMC10823067.
Initial Chemotherapy for Locally Advanced and Metastatic NUT Carcinoma.
Luo J, Sanchez M, Lee E, Hertzler H, Luong N, Mazzola E, Finstein B, Tamen R, Brisbane G, Nguyen T, Paik PK, Chaft JE, Cheng ML, Khalil H, Piha-Paul SA, Sholl LM, Nishino M, Jänne PA, DuBois SG, Hanna GJ, Shapiro GI, French CA. Journal of Thoracic Oncology. 2024 May;19(5):829-838. doi: 10.1016/j.jtho.2023.12.022. Epub 2023 Dec 27. PMID: 38154515; PMCID: PMC11081848.
The BRD4-NUT Fusion Alone Drives Malignant Transformation of NUT Carcinoma.
Durall RT, Huang J, Wojenski L, Huang Y, Gokhale PC, Leeper BA, Nash JO, Ballester PL, Davidson S, Shlien A, Sotirakis E, Bertaux F, Dubus V, Luo J, Wu CJ, Keskin DB, Eagen KP, Shapiro GI, French CA. Cancer Research. 2023 Dec 1;83(23):3846-3860. doi: 10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-23-2545. PMID: 37819236; PMCID: PMC10690098.
EZH2 Cooperates with BRD4-NUT To Drive NUT Carcinoma Growth by Silencing Key Tumor Suppressor Genes.
Huang Y, Durall RT, Luong NM, Hertzler HJ, Huang J, Gokhale PC, Leeper BA, Persky NS, Root DE, Anekal PV, Montero Llopis PDLM, David CN, Kutok JL, Raimondi A, Saluja K, Luo J, Zahnow CA, Adane B, Stegmaier K, Hawkins CE, Ponne C, Le Q, Shapiro GI, Lemieux ME, Eagen KP, French CA. Cancer Research. 2023 Dec 1;83(23):3956-3973. doi: 10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-23-1475. PMID: 37747726; PMCID: PMC10843040.
Abstract Presentations
American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) 2024
Molecular Characterization of NUT Carcinoma: A Report from the NUT Carcinoma Registry.
Luo J, Kim JK, Walton SA, Nguyen T, Paik PK, Chaft JE, Hsu R, Piha-Paul SA, Janne PA, Sholl LM, DuBois SG, Hanna GJ, Shapiro GI, French CA. Proceedings Journal of Clinical Oncology 2024. 42;16_suppl. doi: 10.1200/JCO.2024.42.16_suppl.8553
World Conference on Lung Cancer (WCLC) 2024
Presenting Features and Diagnostic Delays of NUT Carcinoma.
Luo J, Walton SA, Kim JK, Paoloni F, Liew JW, Cotzany ZZ, Nguyen T, Paik PK, Chaft JE, Hsu R, Piha-Paul SA, Janne PA, Barbie DA, Sholl LM, DuBois SG, Hanna GJ, Shapiro GI, French CA. Proceedings Journal of Thoracic Oncology 2024. 19;10: S71-72. doi: 10.1016/j.jtho.2024.09.129