Finding new drugs to target a specific protein in a deadly childhood cancer

Screening for Cys-Reactive Ligands to Target PAX3-FOXO1

NIH-funded research Duke University · NIH-10611002

This study is looking for new ways to find medicines that can help treat a serious childhood cancer called alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma by targeting a specific protein, and it's being done by a team of scientists working together to improve treatment options for kids with this condition.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionDuke University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Durham, United States)
Project IDNIH-10611002 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on developing new drug identification strategies to target the PAX3-FOXO1 protein, which is involved in a severe form of pediatric cancer called alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma. The team will produce various forms of this protein and screen them against a library of potential drug candidates to find effective treatments. By using advanced techniques like covalent ligand screening and biochemical validation, the researchers aim to discover new therapeutic options that could improve outcomes for affected children. This collaborative effort combines expertise from multiple scientists to enhance the drug discovery process.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are children diagnosed with alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma or those at risk for this condition.

Not a fit: Patients with other types of cancer or those not diagnosed with alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new, effective treatments for children suffering from a lethal form of cancer.

How similar studies have performed: While targeting transcription factors has been challenging, there is ongoing research exploring similar approaches, indicating potential for success in this area.

Where this research is happening

Durham, 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.
Conditions Disease
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.