New treatments for sarcoma driven by fusion proteins
Official title: Targeting transcriptional addiction in fusion-driven sarcoma
Funded at Ut Southwestern Medical Center · NIH-11132944 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project aims to find new small molecule medicines for sarcomas that are caused by unique fusion proteins.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Ut Southwestern Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Dallas, United States) |
| Project start | July 8, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $2,349,362 |
| NIH project number | 5UM1CA294119-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11132944 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
This research is focused on patients with sarcomas caused by specific fusion proteins, particularly adolescents and young adults.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with sarcomas not driven by fusion proteins or other cancer types would not directly benefit from this specific research.
What this research studies
Sarcomas driven by fusion proteins are often difficult to treat because these proteins don't have obvious spots for medicines to attach. Our team is working to discover new small molecules that can target these fusion proteins in two ways: by interfering with the cell's machinery that the fusion proteins hijack to grow, and by directly disrupting the fusion proteins themselves. We have found a promising entry point called the CDK8 kinase module, which could be a target for new drugs. The goal is to develop therapies for these challenging cancers.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new targeted therapies for patients with fusion-driven sarcomas, offering more effective treatment options.
How similar studies have gone: Developing targeted therapies for fusion oncoproteins has lagged behind other cancer treatments, making this a novel and much-needed approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Ut Southwestern Medical Center
Dallas, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mcfadden, David Glenn — Ut Southwestern Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Mcfadden, David Glenn
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Targeting transcription-driven cancer with small molecules
A research project at UT Southwestern aims to create and test small drugs that jam the cancer-causing drive of fusion proteins in certain pediatric/adolescent cancers.
-
Targeting cancer-causing proteins in fusion-driven sarcoma
This study is working on new medicines that can specifically target and block certain proteins that help some cancers, like sarcomas, grow, with the goal of finding better treatments to slow down or stop the cancer.
-
Reducing Addiction Risk in High Schools Through Better Prevention Infrastructure
Aims to build a sustainable, school-based system to prevent opioid and other drug use among high school students, especially those at higher risk.
-
HEAL Data Platform to share addiction-related data across programs
A platform project to make HEAL data from many programs easier to find and use, helping researchers and clinicians access information about addiction in children and youth.
-
Cognitively-enhanced tDCS to reduce cocaine craving
A study to test whether real brain stimulation together with learning strategies can lessen craving in people with cocaine use disorder.
-
Testing new therapies for pediatric and young adult sarcoma, kidney, and liver cancers
Researchers are testing new drugs and smart combinations in models of pediatric cancers to help guide future treatments for kids and young adults.
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.