Stopping the KDSR enzyme to make cancer cells poison themselves
Targeting the detoxification function of the enzyme KDSR for cancer therapy
This project tests whether blocking the KDSR enzyme can cause breast cancer cells to build up a toxic substance and die.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Worcester, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11257256 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers are studying an enzyme called KDSR that helps cancer cells remove a toxic molecule named 3KDS. In the lab they will block or remove KDSR and sometimes add 3KDS to cancer cells and tumor models to see if the buildup damages the cell's protein-folding machinery and kills tumors. They will search tumor samples and models for the features that make some cancers produce more 3KDS and therefore depend on KDSR. The team will also look for biomarkers that could identify patients whose tumors might respond to KDSR-targeting treatments.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would be people with breast tumors that show high activity of the 3KDS-producing pathway or related biomarkers identified by the study.
Not a fit: Patients whose tumors do not produce significant 3KDS or lack the proposed biomarkers are unlikely to benefit from KDSR-targeted approaches.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could lead to new treatments that cause certain breast cancers to die from their own toxic byproducts.
How similar studies have performed: Related laboratory studies have shown that blocking metabolic detoxification can hurt cancer cells, but targeting KDSR itself is a new approach still at the preclinical stage.
Where this research is happening
Worcester, United States
- Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester — Worcester, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kim, Dohoon — Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester
- Study coordinator: Kim, Dohoon
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.