Boosting a tumor-suppressing enzyme to fight advanced prostate cancer
Official title: Project 3 - Development of serine/threonine phosphatase PP2A molecular glues for the treatment of advanced prostate cancer
Funded at University of Michigan at Ann Arbor · NIH-11416822 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A research grant aims to develop new molecules that enhance the PP2A enzyme to slow or stop progression of advanced prostate cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Michigan at Ann Arbor NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Ann Arbor, United States) |
| Project start | September 11, 2014 |
| Project end | August 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $405,518 |
| NIH project number | 5P50CA186786-12 |
| Project ID | NIH-11416822 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with advanced prostate cancer who have reduced PP2A activity or resistance to current therapies may benefit from future therapies arising from this research.
✕Less likely to help
Early-stage prostate cancer patients or those whose tumors do not rely on PP2A pathway alterations may see little direct benefit.
What this research studies
This project focuses on pp2a, a key protein that helps cells prevent cancer. It studies how PP2A activity is controlled by its subunits and a specific chemical modification, with the goal of making more tumor-suppressing holoenzymes in prostate cancer cells. Researchers will explore how to create “glues” that stabilize PP2A’s active form, potentially restoring its cancer-fighting power in tumors. The work includes understanding the biology of PP2A in prostate cancer and testing approaches that could translate to future therapies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could lead to new treatments that reactivate PP2A to slow or halt prostate cancer progression.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work has shown PP2A modulation can impact cancer growth, with some approaches moving toward clinical testing; this study builds on that to target PP2A with molecular glues.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Narla, Goutham — University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
- Study coordinator: Narla, Goutham
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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.