Blocking PIN1 to treat pancreatic cancer
Project 2
Trying a new medicine that blocks the PIN1 protein to shrink tumors and help people with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Beckman Research Institute/city of Hope NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Duarte, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11177850 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
We are developing new drugs that block a protein called PIN1, which is often overactive in pancreatic cancer cells and in the tumor-supporting fibroblasts. Chemists at UC Riverside will design and optimize drug-like PIN1 inhibitors. Researchers at City of Hope will test the best candidates in pancreatic cancer cell lines and animal models, study how they work, and measure drug behavior in mice. Promising compounds could be advanced toward future human clinical trials at the collaborating centers.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma—especially those with advanced or treatment-resistant disease—would be the most likely candidates for future trials based on this work.
Not a fit: People without pancreatic cancer or whose tumors do not depend on PIN1 activity are unlikely to benefit from this specific approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could lead to a new targeted drug that helps overcome treatment resistance and improve outcomes for people with pancreatic cancer.
How similar studies have performed: PIN1 blockade has shown promise in laboratory and animal studies, but PIN1-targeting drugs have not yet become approved treatments for patients.
Where this research is happening
Duarte, United States
- Beckman Research Institute/city of Hope — Duarte, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Raoof, Mustafa — Beckman Research Institute/city of Hope
- Study coordinator: Raoof, Mustafa
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.