Creating new peptide inhibitors to target Focal Adhesion Kinase in melanoma treatment
Official title: Development of Non-Catalytic Peptide Inhibitors of Focal Adhesion Kinase (FAK) for Use in Melanoma
Funded at Faknostics, LLC · NIH-10670300 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at new ways to stop melanoma, a serious skin cancer, by creating special proteins that can block a key part of the cancer's growth, which could lead to better treatments and improved lives for patients with advanced melanoma.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Faknostics, LLC NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Phoenix, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2019 |
| Project end | July 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $654,706 |
| NIH project number | 5R42CA240124-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-10670300 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with advanced melanoma, particularly those who have not responded well to existing therapies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with early-stage melanoma or those whose cancer is not driven by FAK may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing innovative peptide inhibitors that target Focal Adhesion Kinase (FAK), a protein that plays a crucial role in the progression of melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer. By inhibiting FAK, the research aims to disrupt cancer cell migration and invasion, potentially improving treatment outcomes for patients with advanced melanoma. The approach involves designing non-catalytic peptides that can effectively bind to FAK, offering a novel therapeutic strategy that differs from existing treatments. Patients may benefit from this research through access to new therapies that could enhance survival rates and quality of life.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective treatment options for patients with melanoma, potentially improving survival rates.
How similar studies have gone: While FAK has been a target in cancer research, this specific approach using non-catalytic peptide inhibitors is novel and has not been extensively tested in clinical settings.
Where this research is happening
-
Faknostics, LLC
Phoenix, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Marlowe, Timothy a — Faknostics, LLC
- Study coordinator: Marlowe, Timothy a
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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.