New drugs that help remove cancer-causing proteins
A Chemoproteomic Approach to Identify Molecular Glues for Targeted Cancer Therapy
Researchers are developing small molecules that latch onto harmful cancer proteins and bring them to the cell's disposal system to help people with blood cancers such as multiple myeloma.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11306662 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
The team uses a chemoproteomic method called "Lysate IP" to find small molecules that cause cancer proteins to stick to the cell's degradation machinery. In lab experiments they will test compounds in cancer cell lines and patient-derived samples to see which molecules recruit E3 ligases and promote protein removal. They will study why lenalidomide brings the ASS1 protein to CRBN without degrading it and whether that activity links to drug resistance in multiple myeloma. The goal is to discover new molecular glue activities that could become drug leads or explain why some therapies stop working.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with blood cancers—especially multiple myeloma patients, including those whose disease no longer responds to lenalidomide—would be most relevant for providing samples or being considered for future therapies.
Not a fit: Patients with unrelated solid tumors or those seeking immediate treatment are unlikely to benefit directly from this lab-based project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new targeted cancer drugs and strategies to overcome resistance to treatments like lenalidomide.
How similar studies have performed: Molecular glue drugs such as lenalidomide have helped patients with blood cancers, but systematic methods to find new glues are still novel and this chemoproteomic approach has shown promising early lab results.
Where this research is happening
Houston, United States
- University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr — Houston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Yoon, Hojong — University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr
- Study coordinator: Yoon, Hojong
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.