Removing cancer-driving kinases with targeted small medicines
Degrading therapeutically important kinases using small molecules
This project is developing small-molecule drugs that make cancer-driving kinase proteins get broken down, aiming to help people whose tumors stop responding to current kinase blockers.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Stanford University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Stanford, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11294302 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers are creating new types of medicines that tag cancer-associated kinase proteins for destruction by the cell's protein-clearance system. The team will expand the chemical types of degraders and test ways to recruit many different cellular E3 ligases so more kinases can be targeted. Laboratory work uses biochemical assays and cell models to map which kinases can be degraded and to study the underlying mechanisms. The goal is to produce candidate molecules that could become new treatment options for patients with kinase-driven, drug-resistant cancers.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with cancers driven by kinase proteins—especially those whose tumors have become resistant to approved kinase inhibitor drugs—would be the most likely future candidates for therapies from this work.
Not a fit: Patients whose cancers are not driven by kinases or who have effective non-kinase treatments are unlikely to benefit directly from these specific discoveries.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could lead to new therapies that overcome resistance to current kinase inhibitors by removing the problematic proteins altogether.
How similar studies have performed: Related strategies (PROTACs and molecular glues) have produced strong preclinical results and some early-phase clinical candidates, but widespread clinical success is still emerging.
Where this research is happening
Stanford, United States
- Stanford University — Stanford, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gray, Nathanael Schiander — Stanford University
- Study coordinator: Gray, Nathanael Schiander
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.