Creating new treatments for schistosomiasis using TGR inhibitors

Development of novel TGR inhibitors for the treatment of schistosomiasis

NIH-funded research University of Illinois at Chicago · NIH-10879953

This study is looking for new medicines to help treat schistosomiasis by targeting a key enzyme in the worms that cause the disease, which could lead to better options for people affected by this condition.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Illinois at Chicago NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Chicago, UNITED STATES)
Project IDNIH-10879953 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on developing new drugs to treat schistosomiasis, a disease caused by parasitic worms that affects millions worldwide. The team is investigating a specific enzyme in the worms called thioredoxin glutathione reductase (TGR), which is crucial for their survival. By inhibiting this enzyme, the researchers aim to kill the worms at all stages of their life cycle, offering a potential alternative to the current treatment that is becoming less effective. The approach includes screening large libraries of compounds to identify effective TGR inhibitors.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals infected with schistosomiasis, particularly those who may not respond well to existing treatments.

Not a fit: Patients who are not infected with schistosomiasis or those who have already been effectively treated with current therapies may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new, effective treatments for schistosomiasis, improving health outcomes for millions of affected individuals.

How similar studies have performed: While the approach of targeting TGR is novel, similar strategies targeting essential enzymes in parasites have shown promise in other research.

Where this research is happening

Chicago, 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.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 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.