Finding new drugs that target RNA modifications in cancer
Official title: A High-Throughput Screening Platform to Discover RNA Methylation Inhibitors
Funded at Duke University · NIH-10894111 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is exploring how a special change in RNA, called m6A methylation, influences cancer and is creating a new tool to measure this change in living cells, which could help find new treatments for cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Duke University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Durham, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $380,846 |
| NIH project number | 5R33CA281602-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10894111 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients with cancers that exhibit altered m6A methylation patterns.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with cancers that do not involve m6A methylation or those with non-cancerous conditions may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding how a specific chemical modification of RNA, known as m6A methylation, affects gene expression and cellular functions, particularly in cancer. The researchers are developing a new tool that can detect changes in m6A levels in living cells, which will allow for high-throughput screening of potential drugs that can inhibit this modification. By optimizing this detection system, they aim to create cellular tools that can be used in various applications related to cancer treatment and understanding RNA biology.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to the development of new cancer therapies that specifically target RNA modifications, potentially improving treatment outcomes for patients.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promising results in targeting RNA modifications in cancer, indicating that this approach has potential for success.
Where this research is happening
-
Duke University
Durham, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Meyer, Kathryn D — Duke University
- Study coordinator: Meyer, Kathryn D
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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.