New drugs that trigger a cancer cell stress response
Official title: UPR Activators for Cancer Therapy
Funded at University of Cincinnati · NIH-11444784 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Aiming to use novel compounds to push cancer cells' internal stress system into self-destruction for people with hard-to-treat cancers.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Cincinnati NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cincinnati, United States) |
| Project start | January 1, 2022 |
| Project end | December 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $330,721 |
| NIH project number | 7R01CA260749-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11444784 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with cancers—particularly solid tumors or cancers that have become resistant to standard therapies—are the groups this line of work is intended to help in the future.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without cancer or those whose disease is well controlled by current treatments are unlikely to get direct benefit from this early laboratory-focused research.
What this research studies
Researchers are developing a new class of molecules called isatin-derived spirocyclic dimers that turn on the unfolded protein response (UPR) in cancer cells. In the lab they will test these compounds on cancer cells and proof-of-concept models to see if forcing UPR causes cancer cell death while sparing normal cells. The team will study how the compounds work at a molecular level, optimize their design, and compare their effects to existing drugs like proteasome inhibitors. These steps are preclinical laboratory and model-based work carried out at the University of Cincinnati.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could lead to new therapies that kill tumors that do not respond to current treatments, especially some solid cancers.
How similar studies have gone: Related approaches that increase UPR, such as proteasome inhibitors, have worked in blood cancers but have not succeeded for many solid tumors, so this represents a novel mechanism being tested.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Cincinnati
Cincinnati, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Natarajan, Amarnath (Amar) — University of Cincinnati
- Study coordinator: Natarajan, Amarnath (Amar)
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Immune and nerve signals behind acupuncture relief for sickle cell pain
This NIH grant explores how acupuncture helps reduce pain and opioid use for people with sickle cell disease.
-
MnSOD modification drives a stem-cell like switch in some ER-positive breast cancers
A small study in ER-positive breast cancer looks at how a specific mitochondrial change (MnSOD-K68 acetylation) may push cancer cells toward a more stem-like, therapy-resistant state.
-
Lineage changes in cancer cells drive resistance to radiation and hormone therapy
A cancer-focused study looks at how a mitochondrial enzyme modification may cause tumor cells to resist radiation and hormone therapy in prostate cancer.
-
Repurposed Antiretroviral Therapies to Eliminate Cervical Cancer
A pilot study tests a self-administered vaginal capsule with protease inhibitors to safely treat cervical precancer (CIN 2/3) in women, using a non-invasive approach.
-
Recombinant factor VIIa given very early for bleeding stroke
This trial gives a clotting medicine called rFVIIa very soon after a spontaneous brain bleed to adults to try to improve recovery.
-
Early Factor VIIa treatment for bleeding stroke
This project tests whether giving a clotting medicine called recombinant Factor VIIa very soon after a spontaneous brain bleed helps adults recover better than standard care alone.
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.