Developing new chemical tools for cancer treatment

Chemical Probes and Drug Discovery

NIH-funded research Wistar Institute · NIH-11085170

This study is exploring new ways to create drugs that can help fight cancer by breaking down a specific protein linked to the disease, aiming to find better treatments for patients.

Quick facts

Grant typeP01 program project
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionWistar Institute NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Philadelphia, United States)
Project IDNIH-11085170 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on creating innovative chemical probes and drug candidates aimed at degrading specific proteins involved in cancer progression, particularly targeting the EBNA1 protein associated with certain cancers. The team will utilize advanced techniques in assay development and synthetic chemistry to screen and develop these new compounds. By comparing the effects of protein degradation versus traditional inhibition methods, the research aims to identify more effective treatments for cancer patients. The approach includes using small DNA oligos and E3 ligase recruiting molecules to enhance the efficacy of the drug candidates.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are patients with cancers associated with the EBNA1 protein or those who may benefit from novel anti-cancer agents.

Not a fit: Patients with cancers not related to the EBNA1 protein or those who do not respond to targeted therapies may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective cancer treatments that specifically target and degrade harmful proteins, potentially improving patient outcomes.

How similar studies have performed: Other research has shown promise in using targeted protein degradation as a therapeutic strategy, indicating that this approach could be a significant advancement in cancer treatment.

Where this research is happening

Philadelphia, 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 Agentsanti-cancer drug
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.