NIH-funded research R03 grant

Exploring new ways to block protein interactions in cancer treatment

Official title: Covalent PD1 Antagonists: Discovery of Protein-Protein Interaction (PPI) Inhibitors in Cancer Immunotherapy

Funded at Florida Atlantic University · NIH-10994616 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is exploring new ways to block certain protein interactions that help cancer grow, using special tools and techniques, with the hope of creating better treatments that could help patients respond more effectively to cancer therapy.

More Immunotherapy research and trials

Quick facts

Grant typeR03 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionFlorida Atlantic University
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Boca Raton, United States)
Project startDecember 5, 2023
Project endNovember 30, 2025
Funding year2025
Award (this year)$71,467
NIH project number5R03CA286528-02
Project IDNIH-10994616 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with cancer who may benefit from new immunotherapy treatments.

Less likely to help

Patients with non-cancerous conditions or those who do not respond to immunotherapy may not receive benefits from this research.

What this research studies

This research investigates innovative methods to inhibit protein-protein interactions (PPIs) that are crucial in cancer biology. By utilizing advanced proteomic tools and gene-editing techniques, the project aims to develop novel PPI inhibitors using β-hairpin peptides that mimic antibody structures. This approach seeks to enhance the specificity and effectiveness of cancer immunotherapy by targeting specific interactions that contribute to tumor growth and immune evasion. Patients may benefit from new therapeutic options that could improve their response to cancer treatment.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective cancer immunotherapies that enhance the body's ability to fight tumors.

How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in targeting protein-protein interactions for cancer treatment, indicating that this approach could be a viable strategy.

Where this research is happening

  • Florida Atlantic University
    Boca Raton, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Roche, Stephane P — Florida Atlantic University
  • Study coordinator: Roche, Stephane P

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

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.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 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.