New small-molecule medicines for HIV, Alzheimer's, multiple sclerosis, and cancer immunotherapy
Synthetic Studies Related to Cancer Research/Treatment
New small-molecule medicines are being developed to wake hidden HIV, boost cancer immunotherapies, and help people with Alzheimer's disease or multiple sclerosis.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Stanford University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Stanford, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11321155 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers create and refine new small molecules using advanced chemistry and computer modeling. They study how these molecules act with structural, biochemical, and mechanistic lab tests and in preclinical models to see if they can activate hidden HIV reservoirs, modulate proteins involved in Alzheimer's and MS, or increase antigen density for CAR T/NK therapies. Promising compounds move through preclinical safety testing and into collaborative clinical trials, some of which are already planned or underway. The project emphasizes protein kinase C (PKC) modulators as a key approach to clear HIV reservoirs and enhance immune-based cancer treatments.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People who might qualify include adults living with HIV interested in curative strategies, patients with Alzheimer's disease or multiple sclerosis, and cancer patients considered for antigen-targeted immunotherapies.
Not a fit: People without HIV, Alzheimer's, multiple sclerosis, or those not eligible for antigen-targeted cancer therapies are unlikely to benefit from this specific work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could produce drugs that help eliminate HIV reservoirs, improve treatments for Alzheimer's and multiple sclerosis, and make cancer immunotherapies more effective.
How similar studies have performed: Some PKC-targeting compounds have entered clinical testing and show early promise for reservoir activation and immune modulation, but safe and effective cures using this approach remain largely unproven.
Where this research is happening
Stanford, United States
- Stanford University — Stanford, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wender, Paul Anthony — Stanford University
- Study coordinator: Wender, Paul Anthony
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.