New treatments for a rare cancer called epithelioid hemangioendothelioma
Official title: Forging a new path with cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors to treat epithelioid hemangioendothelioma
Funded at Cleveland Clinic Lerner Com-Cwru · NIH-11011452 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at a rare and tough cancer called epithelioid hemangioendothelioma (EHE) to find new treatments, using specially designed mice and human cell models to test a promising drug called dinaciclib that might help fight the disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Cleveland Clinic Lerner Com-Cwru NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cleveland, United States) |
| Project start | February 1, 2024 |
| Project end | January 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $188,169 |
| NIH project number | 5R21CA288673-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11011452 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with epithelioid hemangioendothelioma, particularly those with aggressive forms of the disease.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with other types of cancer or those who do not have epithelioid hemangioendothelioma may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on epithelioid hemangioendothelioma (EHE), a rare and aggressive cancer with no effective treatments currently available. The team is developing genetically engineered mouse models to better understand the disease and identify potential therapies. They are screening for small molecules that can disrupt the cancer-causing fusion gene, with a particular focus on a drug called dinaciclib, which has shown promise in preliminary tests. By creating human cell models and testing these drugs, the research aims to pave the way for new treatment options for patients with EHE.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to effective treatments for patients suffering from epithelioid hemangioendothelioma.
How similar studies have gone: While research on cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors has shown promise in other cancers, this specific approach for epithelioid hemangioendothelioma is novel and untested.
Where this research is happening
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Cleveland Clinic Lerner Com-Cwru
Cleveland, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Rubin, Brian P — Cleveland Clinic Lerner Com-Cwru
- Study coordinator: Rubin, Brian 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.