No Stomach For Cancer (NSFC) is proud to announce continued funding for groundbreaking research aimed at the chemoprevention and treatment of Hereditary Diffuse Gastric Cancer (HDGC). This support is enabling researcher Professor Parry Guilford and his team at the University of Otago, New Zealand, to advance the development of entinostat, a promising candidate drug.
Promising Results in Preclinical Testing
In both current and past research funded by NSFC, entinostat has shown significant promise in laboratory studies. The drug has been tested on various human cell lines—both with and without CDH1 gene mutations—as well as in 3D “organoids” derived from mouse stomach and mammary tissue. In all cases, cells with the CDH1 mutation demonstrated increased sensitivity to entinostat.
Building on these findings, Professor Guilford’s team now plans to test entinostat in more genetically complex organoid models and a newly developed mouse model of diffuse gastric cancer. Additionally, the research will explore combination therapies with other potential chemoprevention agents identified in the lab. These synergistic combinations may reduce the required drug dosage, thereby minimizing potential side effects for patients.
Moving Toward Clinical Trials
If the drug continues to perform well in preclinical models, the next step will be to evaluate entinostat in clinical trials involving mutation carriers. This would mark a significant milestone in offering non-surgical alternatives to individuals at high risk for HDGC.
Part of a Broader Mission
The entinostat project is part of a broader research program in Professor Guilford’s lab, which is currently investigating approximately nine candidate drugs for HDGC prevention. The team is also exploring innovative drug delivery systems designed to target the stomach lining—potentially administered during routine endoscopies—to further reduce side effects and improve effectiveness.
NSFC’s Ongoing Commitment
To date, No Stomach For Cancer has contributed over $550,000 NZD to the Hereditary Diffuse Gastric Cancer Research Endowment Fund, along with an additional $500,000 NZD toward HDGC research and education at the University of Otago.
Founded by a family affected by a CDH1 gene mutation at a time when few resources existed, NSFC remains dedicated to funding research, raising awareness, and supporting individuals and families facing HDGC. The organization is committed to advancing alternatives to total gastrectomy and improving the quality of life for CDH1 and CTNNA1 mutation carriers worldwide.