Developing new drugs to inhibit cancer growth by targeting the ERK pathway
Dual-Mechanism Allosteric Inhibitors of ERK Signaling
This study is looking at new drugs that can help fight cancer by blocking a specific pathway that often goes wrong in tumors, and it aims to see how these new treatments can work alongside current cancer therapies to make them even more effective.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Texas at Austin NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Austin, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11071970 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research focuses on creating new drugs that can effectively inhibit the ERK signaling pathway, which is often activated by mutations in the RAS gene and contributes to cancer progression. The researchers aim to develop a novel class of allosteric inhibitors that can work in combination with existing FDA-approved cancer treatments to enhance their effectiveness. By using patient-derived tumor models, they will evaluate how these new inhibitors can induce cancer cell death and reduce tumor size. The study seeks to provide a better understanding of the mechanisms behind these inhibitors and their potential to improve cancer therapies.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are patients with cancers that have RAS mutations and are seeking new treatment options.
Not a fit: Patients whose cancers are not driven by RAS mutations may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatment options for patients with cancers driven by RAS mutations, potentially improving their outcomes.
How similar studies have performed: While targeting the ERK pathway is a relatively novel approach, similar strategies have shown promise in preclinical studies, indicating potential for success.
Where this research is happening
Austin, United States
- University of Texas at Austin — Austin, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Dalby, Kevin N — University of Texas at Austin
- Study coordinator: Dalby, Kevin N
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.