Identifying key proteins in cancer that can be targeted with drugs
Official title: Discovering and Characterizing Druggable Cysteines in Cancer Dependency Proteins
Funded at Scripps Research Institute, the · NIH-11064864 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at special proteins in cancer cells that could be targeted by new treatments, and it aims to see how blocking one of these proteins, called TOE1, might help improve cancer care for patients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Scripps Research Institute, the NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, United States) |
| Project start | April 2, 2024 |
| Project end | March 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $165,780 |
| NIH project number | 5K99CA290143-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11064864 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients with various types of cancer who may benefit from targeted therapies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with cancers that do not involve the specific proteins being studied may not receive any benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on discovering and characterizing specific proteins in cancer cells that have unique sites, known as cysteines, which can be targeted by new drugs. By using advanced techniques like Activity-Based Protein Profiling (ABPP) and base editing, the researchers aim to understand how these cysteines function and their role in cancer cell growth. The study will investigate the effects of inhibiting these proteins, particularly one called TOE1, to determine how it impacts cancer treatment. Patients may benefit from the development of new therapies that specifically target these proteins.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to the development of new, more effective cancer therapies that specifically target vulnerable proteins in cancer cells.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in targeting similar proteins in cancer, suggesting that this approach could lead to significant advancements in cancer treatment.
Where this research is happening
-
Scripps Research Institute, the
La Jolla, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Li, Haoxin — Scripps Research Institute, the
- Study coordinator: Li, Haoxin
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.