Repurposing antifolate drugs to target W. bancrofti DHFR
Official title: Repurposing antifolate compounds as W. bancrofti DHFR inhibitors
Funded at Montclair State University · NIH-11361296 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A scientist is testing already-used antifolate medicines to see if they can selectively disable a parasite that causes lymphatic filariasis, aiming for safer, more effective treatments for patients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R15 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Montclair State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Montclair, United States) |
| Project start | September 8, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $579,716 |
| NIH project number | 1R15AI200015-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11361296 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with lymphatic filariasis or those at risk in endemic regions who would benefit from safer adult-worm–targeted therapies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with non-parasitic conditions or those unlikely to tolerate antifolate drugs may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project uses computer screening to identify antifolate drugs that might block the parasite enzyme WbDHFR, followed by experiments to test selectivity and safety. It builds on a newly solved parasite enzyme structure to guide design of inhibitors that spare human cells. The work also explores a novel allosteric approach with peptide mimetics to improve precision against the parasite. If successful, it could lead to repurposed drugs that better clear adult worms with fewer side effects for affected communities.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could have safer, more targeted treatment options for lymphatic filariasis.
How similar studies have gone: Past antifolates have been effective in other organisms, but this parasite-targeted approach is innovative and exploratory.
Where this research is happening
-
Montclair State University
Montclair, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Goodey, Nina M — Montclair State University
- Study coordinator: Goodey, Nina M
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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.