Developing new drugs to target specific cancer mutations involving serine.

Expanding the targetable landscape in cancer with serine-targeting covalent ligands

NIH-funded research University of California Berkeley · NIH-11038008

This study is working on new treatments for cancer by creating special drugs that can target specific changes in cancer proteins, which could help patients with certain cancer mutations and those who have not responded to other treatments.

Quick facts

Grant typeR21 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of California Berkeley NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Berkeley, United States)
Project IDNIH-11038008 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on creating targeted covalent inhibitors that can specifically engage serine residues in cancer-related proteins. By developing new chemical methods, the project aims to address the challenge of targeting serine mutations that contribute to cancer progression and drug resistance. The approach involves designing compounds that can selectively bind to these serine residues, potentially leading to new therapies for patients with specific cancer mutations. The research will also explore the possibility of targeting previously 'undruggable' cancer proteins.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are patients with cancers that have mutations involving serine, such as those with EGFR or BTK mutations.

Not a fit: Patients without serine mutations or those with cancers that do not involve the targeted pathways may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new targeted therapies for patients with cancers driven by specific serine mutations.

How similar studies have performed: While targeted covalent inhibitors have shown success in targeting cysteine mutations, this approach to targeting serine mutations is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested.

Where this research is happening

Berkeley, 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.