Creating new drug-like molecules to treat cancer and infections
New Methods for the Synthesis of Biologically Active Compounds
Scientists are making new chemical compounds designed to kill cancer cells and fight infections for people with cancer or infectious diseases.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | New York University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11348868 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers are developing new chemical reactions to build cyclic peroxide molecules that show broad biological activity. They will make and refine a compound called FINO2 to improve its ability to trigger a form of cell death called ferroptosis and to resist breakdown in the body. The team will work with collaborators to determine how these compounds cause cells to die and will also explore aromatic peroxides and acetal reaction steps used to assemble these molecules. Most work happens in the laboratory at New York University and involves chemistry and cell-based experiments rather than patient visits.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Future clinical candidates would likely include people with cancers that resist current treatments or infections that lack effective drugs who enroll in later clinical trials.
Not a fit: People with conditions unrelated to cancer or infections, or those seeking immediate treatment, are unlikely to benefit directly at this stage.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new medicines that kill cancer cells or tackle infections in ways current drugs do not.
How similar studies have performed: Peroxide-based drugs like artemisinin have worked well against malaria, but using cyclic peroxides to trigger ferroptosis in cancer is a newer and less-tested approach.
Where this research is happening
New York, United States
- New York University — New York, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Woerpel, Keith Allen — New York University
- Study coordinator: Woerpel, Keith Allen
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.