Screening for protein interaction inhibitors of the ERKS axis to treat brain tumors
Official title: Screening for protein interaction inhibitors of the ERKS axis for brain tumor treatment
Funded at Beckman Research Institute/city of Hope · NIH-11366177 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Aims to find compounds that block a protein network called ERKS to slow or stop growth of malignant brain tumors in adults.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Beckman Research Institute/city of Hope NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Duarte, United States) |
| Project start | June 26, 2026 |
| Project end | May 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $736,457 |
| NIH project number | 1R01CA302791-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11366177 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with glioblastoma or other brain tumor types where ERKS axis activity is relevant may be eligible or could benefit from future translational steps.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without brain tumors or without ERKS axis involvement are unlikely to benefit from this specific target approach.
What this research studies
This project focuses on a protein interaction network (ERKS axis) that helps brain tumor cells keep growing. Researchers will test molecules that disrupt the interactions among EphrinB, RGS3, KIF20A, and SEPT7 to see if tumor cells stop dividing and start differentiating. They will use models of brain tumors to evaluate how blocking these interactions affects tumor growth and survival, with attention to whether compounds can reach the brain. The work builds on prior findings that disrupting ERKS can slow tumor progression in animal models. If successful, this approach could open a new pathway for treating glioblastoma and related brain cancers.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If the ERKS axis can be effectively blocked in brain tumor cells, patients may experience slower tumor growth and improved treatment options.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies showed that depleting KIF20A or disrupting ERKS interactions can reduce brain tumor cell proliferation in animal models, supporting potential applicability to humans.
Where this research is happening
-
Beckman Research Institute/city of Hope
Duarte, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lu, Qiang — Beckman Research Institute/city of Hope
- Study coordinator: Lu, Qiang
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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.