Scientists uncover previously unknown chromatin regulation mechanism with therapeutic potential for pediatric cancer

As many as 1 in 4 cancers are driven by mutations in the SWI/SNF chromatin-remodeling complex, which controls access to DNA. A study led by St. Jude Children's Research Hospital recently identified the gene-regulatory protein PHIP as a critical vulnerability in cancers driven by broad SWI/SNF inactivation. The work revealed PHIP as a potential therapeutic target for cancers, including rhabdoid tumors in children, and other hard-to-treat malignancies. The results are published in Nature Communications.