PSMA-targeted prostate cancer drug

Development of an Innovative PSMA-Targeted Small Molecule Prodrug for Prostate Cancer

NIH-funded research Cancer Targeted Technology, LLC · NIH-11247620

A new drug that uses PSMA to carry a powerful chemotherapy directly to prostate tumors for men with advanced prostate cancer.

Quick facts

Grant typeSbir 2 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionCancer Targeted Technology, LLC NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Woodinville, United States)
Project IDNIH-11247620 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This project is developing a small molecule that binds PSMA, a marker found on prostate cancer cells, to deliver a potent chemotherapy payload while limiting harm to healthy tissue. The team will link the chemotherapy (MMAE) to a PSMA-targeting carrier and test its stability, tumor-targeting, and tumor-killing activity in laboratory and animal models. They will optimize dosing and safety properties to prepare the drug for possible future testing in people.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Men with advanced or metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer whose tumors express PSMA and who have progressed after standard therapies.

Not a fit: Patients with early-stage disease, tumors that do not express PSMA, or those unable to undergo experimental treatments are unlikely to benefit from this work.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could kill prostate cancer cells more effectively while reducing systemic side effects compared with conventional chemotherapy.

How similar studies have performed: Toxin-conjugate therapies using MMAE have been approved for other cancers, but PSMA-targeted small-molecule drug conjugates for prostate cancer are still experimental and not yet approved.

Where this research is happening

Woodinville, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.