Investigating new treatments for cancer by activating the unfolded protein response.
UPR Activators for Cancer Therapy
This study is exploring new compounds that can help trigger a natural process in cancer cells to make them self-destruct, especially in cases where current treatments aren't working well.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Nebraska Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Omaha, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11009523 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing new compounds derived from isatin that can activate the unfolded protein response (UPR) in cancer cells. The UPR is a cellular mechanism that helps manage protein folding and degradation, and cancer cells often have higher levels of UPR due to stress from misfolded proteins. By targeting this mechanism, the research aims to induce programmed cell death in cancer cells, particularly those that do not respond well to existing treatments. The approach involves proof-of-concept studies to evaluate the effectiveness of these novel UPR activators in combating cancer.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are patients with solid tumors that have not responded to traditional cancer therapies.
Not a fit: Patients with early-stage cancers that are effectively managed with standard treatments may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new cancer therapies that specifically target and kill cancer cells by exploiting their unique stress responses.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown success with UPR activation in treating hematological malignancies, indicating potential for similar approaches in solid tumors.
Where this research is happening
Omaha, United States
- University of Nebraska Medical Center — Omaha, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Natarajan, Amarnath (Amar) — University of Nebraska Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Natarajan, Amarnath (Amar)
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 below.