New small-molecule drugs to block Rac and Cdc42 and stop cancer spread
Official title: Assessment of small molecules as covalent inhibitors of Rac/Cdc42
Funded at University of Puerto Rico Med Sciences · NIH-11325834 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Testing new small-molecule drugs that block Rac and Cdc42 proteins to try to stop cancer cells from spreading, aiming to help people with metastatic breast cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Puerto Rico Med Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Juan, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2024 |
| Project end | March 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $149,000 |
| NIH project number | 5R16GM153660-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11325834 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with metastatic breast cancer whose disease is not controlled by current treatments could be candidates for future early-phase trials of these drugs.
✕Less likely to help
People with early-stage cancer, non-cancer conditions, or tumors that do not depend on Rac/Cdc42 signaling are unlikely to benefit from this work now.
What this research studies
Researchers are developing more potent versions of a drug that blocks Rac and Cdc42, proteins that help cancer cells move and spread. They already showed an earlier drug, MBQ-167, reduced tumor growth and metastasis in mice and obtained an FDA IND for phase 1 testing. The current work focuses on CPV-337, a compound that appears three to five times stronger in lab tests and may bind covalently to its targets, and it will be studied in cells and animal models to learn how it works and how safe it is. If results are favorable, this could lead to early human trials at the University of Puerto Rico and partner sites.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, these drugs could slow or stop cancer metastasis and lead to new treatment options for people with metastatic breast cancer.
How similar studies have gone: An earlier related compound, MBQ-167, showed promising anti-metastatic effects in mice and advanced to an FDA IND for phase 1 testing, while CPV-337 is a newer, more potent candidate.
Where this research is happening
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University of Puerto Rico Med Sciences
San Juan, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Vlaar, Cornelis P — University of Puerto Rico Med Sciences
- Study coordinator: Vlaar, Cornelis P
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.