New anti-mitotic drugs for metastatic melanoma
Discovery of fused heterocyclic pyrazine based novel anti-mitotic agents for metastatic melanoma
Developing new medicines that stop cancer cells from dividing to help people with metastatic melanoma, including tumors that resist current chemotherapy.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Middle Tennessee State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Murfreesboro, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11142555 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers are designing and making novel anti-mitotic compounds that target the tubulin protein in melanoma cells to block cell division. They will use computer modeling and chemical synthesis to optimize these compounds, then test them in laboratory cell cultures and animal models of metastatic melanoma. Early lab and animal results were promising against tumors that resist current taxane drugs, and the team plans further optimization to reduce toxicity and overcome drug resistance. If successful, the best candidates could be advanced toward clinical testing in people.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Eventually, people with metastatic melanoma—especially those whose tumors are resistant to taxane chemotherapy—would be the candidates for therapies developed from this work.
Not a fit: Patients with early-stage melanoma or whose tumors are treated effectively by existing targeted or immune therapies may not directly benefit from this preclinical drug development work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could produce new treatment options that work against metastatic melanoma that no longer responds to existing tubulin-targeting chemotherapy.
How similar studies have performed: Existing tubulin-targeting drugs like paclitaxel and docetaxel are used clinically but have limitations, and this fused-heterocycle approach is novel with promising preclinical (cell and animal) results.
Where this research is happening
Murfreesboro, United States
- Middle Tennessee State University — Murfreesboro, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Banerjee, Souvik — Middle Tennessee State University
- Study coordinator: Banerjee, Souvik
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.