G6PD and asparaginase: a new way to treat colorectal cancer
Official title: The role of G6PD in resistance to asparaginase-induced hyperammonemia
Funded at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital · NIH-11429564 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are exploring how blocking a cell enzyme (G6PD) could make colorectal cancer more sensitive to the cancer medicine asparaginase, while sparing normal cells.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | St. Jude Children's Research Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Memphis, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2026 |
| Project end | July 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $726,194 |
| NIH project number | 1R01CA316383-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11429564 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with colorectal cancer, especially if their tumors show dependence on G6PD or related metabolic pathways, could be candidates for future trials.
✕Less likely to help
Patients whose tumors do not rely on G6PD or do not respond to asparaginase may not benefit.
What this research studies
Colorectal cancer is a major cause of death and current treatments don’t work for everyone. This grant investigates why loss of G6PD makes colorectal cancer more vulnerable to asparaginase, focusing on how NADPH and ammonia detoxification affect tumor cells versus normal cells. The team will use genetic screening and mechanistic studies to understand cancer-specific effects and identify potential detoxification factors. They will also test the therapeutic potential of asparaginase in colorectal cancers that have G6PD deficiency. If successful, this could reveal a new, more selective approach to treating colorectal cancer.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: This research could lead to a new combination therapy that makes colorectal cancer more responsive to asparaginase with fewer side effects for normal cells.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work has shown tumor-specific increases in sensitivity to metabolic drugs, but this specific G6PD-asparaginase interaction in colorectal cancer is novel.
Where this research is happening
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St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
Memphis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gutierrez, Alejandro — St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
- Study coordinator: Gutierrez, Alejandro
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.