Targeted cancer medicines from marine cyanobacteria
Novel Targeted Anticancer Agents from Marine Cyanobacteria
Developing new cancer medicines from ocean cyanobacteria to help people with solid tumors or blood cancers that no longer respond to current treatments.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Florida NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Gainesville, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11263734 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Scientists collect compounds made by marine cyanobacteria and test them in advanced lab systems designed to predict which molecules might work in people. They focus on compounds that act on tubulin and other cancer targets and use screening methods aimed at overcoming drug resistance. Promising molecules are chemically optimized in the lab and taken through preclinical testing in models to prepare them for future clinical trials.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with solid tumors or hematologic malignancies, especially those whose cancers have become resistant to standard treatments, would be the most likely future candidates for therapies from this program.
Not a fit: Patients seeking an immediate treatment are unlikely to benefit directly because this is preclinical drug discovery rather than an available therapy.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could produce new targeted therapies or antibody-drug conjugate payloads that work against cancers resistant to existing drugs.
How similar studies have performed: Related natural products such as dolastatin 10 have already led to FDA-approved antibody-drug conjugates, showing this natural-product approach can translate to effective cancer medicines, while some newly discovered compounds act at novel sites and remain less tested.
Where this research is happening
Gainesville, United States
- University of Florida — Gainesville, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Luesch, Hendrik — University of Florida
- Study coordinator: Luesch, Hendrik
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.