New small molecules that block cancer protein production and an immune 'brake'
First in Class Small molecules to simultaneously inhibit protein translation and an immune checkpoint in cancers
A new kind of drug that aims to slow tumor growth by both stopping cancer cells from making key proteins and lifting a brake on the immune system for people with certain cancers.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Maryland Baltimore NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11232335 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project develops first-in-class small molecules that target hnRNP A18, a protein that helps cancer cells make the proteins they need to grow and survive. The team is designing and testing compounds that both reduce cancer protein translation and interfere with an immune checkpoint pathway to help the immune system attack tumors. Work includes chemistry to improve the molecules, structural studies, and lab tests in cancer cells and animal models to measure anti-tumor effects and safety. If those studies are promising, the program would move toward early clinical development.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with cancers driven by abnormal protein-translation pathways or tumors where immune checkpoint activity helps the cancer evade the immune system could be candidates for future trials of these drugs.
Not a fit: Patients whose tumors do not rely on the targeted translation mechanisms or immune checkpoint pathway—or those who cannot tolerate new therapies—may not benefit from this approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, these drugs could slow tumor growth, reduce treatment resistance, and enhance immune attack on cancers while potentially limiting toxic side effects.
How similar studies have performed: Existing drugs that target protein-translation pathways (like mTOR inhibitors) and immune checkpoint inhibitors have shown benefit in some cancers, but combining direct translation blockade with immune checkpoint targeting in a single small molecule is a novel approach with limited prior human data.
Where this research is happening
Baltimore, United States
- University of Maryland Baltimore — Baltimore, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Carrier, France — University of Maryland Baltimore
- Study coordinator: Carrier, France
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.