Creating new peptide inhibitors to target Focal Adhesion Kinase in melanoma treatment

Development of Non-Catalytic Peptide Inhibitors of Focal Adhesion Kinase (FAK) for Use in Melanoma

NIH-funded research Faknostics, LLC · NIH-10670300

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 typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionFaknostics, LLC NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Phoenix, United States)
Project IDNIH-10670300 on NIH RePORTER

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.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with advanced melanoma, particularly those who have not responded well to existing therapies.

Not a fit: Patients with early-stage melanoma or those whose cancer is not driven by FAK may not benefit from this research.

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 performed: 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

Phoenix, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions Anti-Cancer AgentsCancer DrugNeoplastic Disease Chemotherapeutic Agentsanti-cancer druganticancer agent
Last reviewed 2026-06-10 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.