Red‑light triggered removal of cancer proteins
Red-light driven targeted degradation of cancer proteins
Researchers are developing a red‑light activated way to selectively destroy harmful cancer proteins to help people with tumors that depend on those proteins.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Columbia Univ New York Morningside NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11252886 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project uses red light and specially designed chemical tags to cut and remove cancer proteins directly inside cells instead of relying on the cell's normal disposal machinery. The team will attach light‑activated tags to target proteins and test whether shining red light at the tumor site causes those proteins to be destroyed, first in cells and animal tumor models. Because the approach does not require the cell's usual ubiquitin enzymes, it could work in cancers that have become resistant to current targeted‑degradation drugs. If preclinical results are promising, the method could be advanced toward treatments that more precisely remove disease‑causing proteins with less chance of resistance.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with tumors driven by specific, hard‑to‑target proteins or whose cancers have developed resistance to existing targeted therapies would be the most relevant future candidates.
Not a fit: Patients whose cancers are not driven by targetable proteins or who need immediate, approved treatments are unlikely to benefit directly from this early laboratory and animal research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could enable new, more precise cancer therapies that remove disease‑causing proteins and bypass some forms of drug resistance.
How similar studies have performed: PROTACs and related targeted‑degradation approaches have shown promise in preclinical and early clinical work, but a red‑light activated, enzyme‑independent degradation method is novel and largely untested in humans.
Where this research is happening
New York, United States
- Columbia Univ New York Morningside — New York, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Shah, Neel H — Columbia Univ New York Morningside
- Study coordinator: Shah, Neel H
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.