New RPS23 inhibitors to help treat AML
Official title: Development of novel RPS23 inhibitors for the treatment of leukemia
Funded at Ut Southwestern Medical Center · NIH-11428745 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new therapy approach targets leukemia cells by activating a stress response pathway that can push cancer cells toward death, especially when used with existing treatment venetoclax.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Ut Southwestern Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Dallas, United States) |
| Project start | June 1, 2026 |
| Project end | May 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $688,012 |
| NIH project number | 1R01CA315853-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11428745 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with AML who could participate in future trials exploring new ISR-activating therapies.
✕Less likely to help
People without AML or those who do not respond to ISR-targeted strategies may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project aims to develop compounds that bind a ribosome protein (RPS23) to boost a cellular stress response and promote leukemia cell death. Researchers will use high-throughput screening to find candidate molecules and then confirm how they work at the molecular level. The work includes testing in lab models of AML and aiming to show added benefit when combined with venetoclax. If successful, these findings could lead toward new combination therapies for patients with AML.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients with AML could have a new option that works alongside venetoclax to improve survival.
How similar studies have gone: Similar ISR-targeting strategies have shown promising activity in preclinical AML models, supporting progression to early human studies.
Where this research is happening
-
Ut Southwestern Medical Center
Dallas, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Nijhawan, Deepak — Ut Southwestern Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Nijhawan, Deepak
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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.