Blocking the MYC–TRRAP partnership to stop cancer growth
Therapeutic Inhibition of MYC:TRRAP Interaction in Cancer
This project aims to create small-molecule drugs that block the MYC–TRRAP protein partnership to slow or stop growth of cancers driven by MYC.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 2 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Cosmyc INC NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Dover, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11247616 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers discovered a vulnerable spot in the MYC protein that lets it bind to a partner called TRRAP, which helps many tumors grow. They built a screening platform and screened more than 500,000 compounds to find molecules that prevent the MYC:TRRAP interaction in cells. Promising hits that block this protein-protein interaction at low micromolar potency will be optimized for strength, selectivity, and bioavailability. The team will then run laboratory and animal studies to improve safety and prepare for possible future human trials.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal future trial candidates would be people with cancers known to be driven by MYC overexpression or amplification, such as certain lung, breast, and some blood cancers.
Not a fit: Patients whose tumors do not rely on MYC signaling or whose cancers are driven by unrelated pathways are unlikely to benefit from this approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could produce a new class of drugs that slow or stop many tumors that rely on MYC activity.
How similar studies have performed: Directly targeting MYC has long been very difficult and most past attempts have fallen short, so this protein-protein interaction approach is relatively novel though some indirect MYC-targeting strategies have shown early signs of promise.
Where this research is happening
Dover, United States
- Cosmyc INC — Dover, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Feris, Ed — Cosmyc INC
- Study coordinator: Feris, Ed
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.