Grant: Project Grant

Modulating the posttranscriptional modification of arginine methylation through targeting the protein arginine protein methyltransferase (PRMT) enzymes is a promising approach in cancer therapeutics. PRMT-directed drugs have been shown to be especially effective in cells with 9p21.3 deletion encompassing critical tumor suppressor genes and a passenger mutation that sensitizes cancer cells to PRMT inhibitors. Importantly 9p21.3 deletion also confers poor antitumor immune response and poor prognosis. The immune system plays a critical role in eradicating cancer. However, how modulating PRMTs affects the immune system is not well understood. We will investigate how PRMT enzymes control the immune system myeloid cell function and tumor microenvironment. The outcomes of this work will help us understand how we can effectively small molecule PRMT targeting drugs that are currently undergoing evaluation in clinical trials.