Dr. Ou Deng, a research scientist at Moffitt Cancer Center, has outlined future research aimed at elucidating the role of MSH6 in modulating sensitivity to PARP inhibitors in patients diagnosed with BRCA-proficient high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC). During the recent 2025 AACR Annual Meeting, Deng and her research team presented significant findings that reveal mechanisms influencing PARP inhibitor sensitivity within this patient population.
Preclinical findings indicate that MSH6, known primarily for its function in DNA damage repair, may also affect tumor response in ways not previously understood. This revelation prompts critical investigation into MSH6’s potential as a biomarker for predicting treatment benefits in patients with HGSOC. According to Deng, understanding how MSH6 affects downstream signaling pathways is essential for determining the sensitivity of these tumors to PARP inhibition.
Future Directions of Research
Deng emphasized the importance of mapping these molecular pathways. Ongoing laboratory studies will focus on how MSH6 expression might regulate processes beyond the traditional scope of DNA repair. This research is particularly vital as it could help clarify why certain patients with BRCA-proficient ovarian cancer derive limited benefit from PARP inhibitors.
In planned translational research, Deng’s team intends to analyze correlations between MSH6 expression levels and clinical outcomes among patients receiving PARP inhibitors. This group of patients often sees minimal therapeutic advantages from PARP inhibition. Validating MSH6 as a predictive biomarker could enhance patient selection for this specific treatment class, potentially broadening the therapeutic applicability of PARP inhibitors.
To support these efforts, Deng and her colleagues plan to conduct immunohistochemistry and additional assays on tumor samples from patients who have undergone PARP inhibitor therapy. These analyses will investigate whether MSH6 levels correlate with clinical responses, thereby creating a direct link between molecular findings and patient outcomes.
Deng articulated that the ultimate goal of this research is to establish MSH6 as a clinically actionable biomarker. Identifying patients with BRCA-proficient disease who are most likely to respond to PARP inhibition could significantly improve treatment strategies and patient care in oncology.
In summary, Dr. Ou Deng’s evolving research promises to shed light on the intricate relationship between MSH6 and PARP inhibitor sensitivity, offering hope for tailored therapeutic approaches in high-grade serous ovarian cancer.
