CB-202: a new drug that blocks MCT4 to target triple-negative breast cancer and some leukemias
Development and Therapeutic Efficacy of a Novel Lactate Transporter inhibitor (MCT4) CB-202 in tumors that overexpress MCT4, such as Triple-Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) and Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AL
This project is developing a drug called CB-202 that blocks a cancer protein (MCT4) to try to slow triple-negative breast cancer and certain acute myeloid leukemias.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Charles R. Drew University of Med & Sci NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11375952 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
The team is creating a drug named CB-202 that stops MCT4, a protein cancer cells use to manage lactate and survive. Researchers will test CB-202 in laboratory and animal tumor models of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML) to see if it slows growth and increases sensitivity to chemotherapy. The work focuses on tumors that overexpress MCT4 and may use patient-derived samples to identify who could benefit. If results are promising, the project aims to move toward clinical testing in people.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would be people with triple-negative breast cancer or acute myeloid leukemia whose tumors show high levels of MCT4 and who are open to future clinical testing.
Not a fit: Patients whose tumors do not overexpress MCT4 or who cannot undergo experimental treatments are unlikely to benefit from this therapy.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to a targeted therapy that slows tumor growth and makes chemotherapy more effective for patients with MCT4-high TNBC or AML.
How similar studies have performed: Targeting monocarboxylate transporters like MCT4 has shown promising results in lab and animal studies, but clinical evidence in people is still limited.
Where this research is happening
Los Angeles, United States
- Charles R. Drew University of Med & Sci — Los Angeles, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wu, Yong — Charles R. Drew University of Med & Sci
- Study coordinator: Wu, Yong
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.