Developing new drugs to enhance cancer treatment effectiveness
Evaluating and Optimizing Novel nSMase2 Inhibitors in the Treatment of Cancers
This study is looking at a new way to help cancer treatments work better by blocking a specific enzyme, which could boost the immune system's ability to fight tumors, especially for patients who haven't had success with current therapies.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Francisco NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10979021 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research focuses on improving cancer treatment by developing small molecule inhibitors that target nSMase2, an enzyme involved in exosome biogenesis. By blocking this enzyme, the study aims to enhance the effectiveness of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), which are a type of cancer therapy that helps the immune system fight tumors. The research involves testing these inhibitors in various mouse models to evaluate their ability to promote antitumor immune responses and inhibit tumor growth. If successful, this approach could lead to new treatment options for patients who currently do not respond to existing therapies.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are adult cancer patients who have not responded to existing immune checkpoint therapies.
Not a fit: Patients with cancers that are not resistant to immune checkpoint inhibitors may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide new therapeutic options for cancer patients who are resistant to current immune checkpoint inhibitors.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promise in using similar approaches to enhance the effectiveness of cancer therapies, indicating potential for success in this novel strategy.
Where this research is happening
San Francisco, United States
- University of California, San Francisco — San Francisco, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Blelloch, Robert — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Blelloch, Robert
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 below.