New tubulin-blocking agents for metastatic melanoma
Official title: Discovery of fused heterocyclic pyrazine based novel anti-mitotic agents for metastatic melanoma
Funded at Middle Tennessee State University · NIH-11396429 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new class of tiny molecules called fused heterocyclic pyrazines will be studied as potential anti-melanoma drugs, aimed at patients with metastatic melanoma.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Middle Tennessee State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Murfreesboro, United States) |
| Project start | July 22, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $169,233 |
| NIH project number | 5R16GM154786-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11396429 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates would be individuals with or at risk for metastatic melanoma and who could participate in future drug development efforts or related trials.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with non-melanoma cancers or those unable to participate in future drug studies may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project focuses on designing and testing a new type of tubulin inhibitor (FHP) that can overcome resistance to existing therapies in metastatic melanoma. Researchers will use computer-guided chemistry, synthesize compounds, and test them in melanoma cell lines and animal models to see if they stop cancer growth with fewer side effects. The work builds on known biology of tubulin and the colchicine binding site to create drugs that can work even when tumors resist current treatments. If promising, these compounds could form the basis for future clinical development for patients who have advanced disease.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients with metastatic melanoma could have a new treatment option that may overcome resistance and improve outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Similar tubulin inhibitors have shown preclinical activity, but this approach is at an early stage with novel scaffold optimization ongoing.
Where this research is happening
-
Middle Tennessee State University
Murfreesboro, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Banerjee, Souvik — Middle Tennessee State University
- Study coordinator: Banerjee, Souvik
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Harnessing human CD1d-NKT cells to boost melanoma immunotherapy
A small NIH-funded project tests a new approach that uses a special type of immune cell to help treat metastatic melanoma in patients.
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CM-HZ01: a new high-boost IL-2 therapy for advanced melanoma
A new IL-2 based treatment called CM-HZ01 is being developed to help people with metastatic melanoma by steering the immune system toward stronger anti-tumor activity with potentially fewer side effects.
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New anti-mitotic drugs for metastatic melanoma
Developing new medicines that stop cancer cells from dividing to help people with metastatic melanoma, including tumors that resist current chemotherapy.
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Investigating how dormant melanoma cells can reactivate and promote cancer growth.
This study is looking at how sleeping melanoma cells can affect nearby cells to help the cancer grow and resist treatment, and it's designed for researchers like Dr. Fane to learn new ways to find better treatments for melanoma.
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Developing a new treatment for metastatic melanoma using a specialized form of interleukin-2.
This study is testing a new treatment called CM-HZ01 that helps boost your immune system to fight metastatic melanoma by specifically activating certain immune cells, aiming to make the existing IL-2 therapy work better with fewer side effects for patients who don’t have many options left.
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Improving detection of early-stage metastatic melanoma using advanced microscopy
This study is testing a new imaging technique to help doctors better identify early-stage melanomas that have spread, so patients can get the right treatment sooner and improve their chances of recovery.
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.