Creating new treatments for schistosomiasis using TGR inhibitors
Official title: Development of novel TGR inhibitors for the treatment of schistosomiasis
Funded at University of Illinois at Chicago · NIH-10879953 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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 type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Illinois at Chicago NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | July 5, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $800,624 |
| NIH project number | 1R01AI177493-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10879953 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals infected with schistosomiasis, particularly those who may not respond well to existing treatments.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not infected with schistosomiasis or those who have already been effectively treated with current therapies may not benefit from this research.
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.
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 gone: 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
-
University of Illinois at Chicago
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Petukhov, Pavel a — University of Illinois at Chicago
- Study coordinator: Petukhov, Pavel a
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.