Stopping cancer-driving PKA signals
Targeting Oncogenic PKA signaling mechanisms
This project is testing drugs that block proteins downstream of overactive PKA to help people with rare adrenal and liver tumors.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Francisco NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11238004 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If I or someone I love had a rare adrenal or liver tumor caused by overactive PKA, this team is trying to find treatments that stop the cancer's abnormal protein-making machinery instead of blocking PKA itself. They study tumor samples and lab models to map how mutant PKA rewires signaling and increases mRNA translation. The researchers then test candidate drugs that target downstream factors like the RNA helicase eIF4A to see if tumors stop growing. The aim is to find more selective, better-tolerated options for patients with these rare cancers.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would be people with rare adrenal or hepatic tumors known or suspected to have activating PKA (PKAc) mutations who could donate samples or join future clinical trials.
Not a fit: Patients whose tumors are not driven by PKA signaling or who need immediate standard-of-care treatment may not benefit from these specific targeted approaches.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could produce new targeted therapies that shrink or slow PKA-driven adrenal and liver tumors with fewer side effects than broad PKA inhibitors.
How similar studies have performed: Preclinical studies have shown that targeting translation factors like eIF4A can slow tumor growth, but clinical success in patients remains limited and this strategy is still early-stage.
Where this research is happening
San Francisco, United States
- University of California, San Francisco — San Francisco, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gordan, John D — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Gordan, John D
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.