Finding drugs to treat infections caused by certain viruses linked to cancer
Official title: The Identification of Clinically Relevant Metabolic Inhibitors to Treat Gammaherpesvirus Infections
Funded at Seattle Pacific University · NIH-10974732 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a virus related to certain cancers changes the way cells in the body use energy when they get infected, and it hopes to find new ways to treat these infections with medications that can stop the virus from spreading.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R15 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Seattle Pacific University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project start | June 18, 2024 |
| Project end | May 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $404,724 |
| NIH project number | 1R15AI185858-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10974732 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with infections caused by gammaherpesviruses or those at risk of developing cancer linked to these infections.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have gammaherpesvirus infections or related cancers may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how gammaherpesviruses, which are linked to certain cancers, alter the metabolism of host cells during infection. By using a mouse model, the researchers will analyze the changes in host cell metabolism when infected with Murine Herpesvirus 68 (MHV-68). The goal is to identify specific metabolic pathways that can be targeted with clinically relevant drugs to inhibit the virus's ability to replicate and spread. This approach aims to develop new therapeutic strategies for treating infections caused by these oncogenic viruses.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments that effectively manage infections caused by gammaherpesviruses, potentially reducing the risk of cancer associated with these viruses.
How similar studies have gone: While the approach of targeting host cell metabolism in viral infections is being explored, this specific investigation into gammaherpesviruses is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Seattle Pacific University
Seattle, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Delgado, Tracie — Seattle Pacific University
- Study coordinator: Delgado, Tracie
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.