NIH-funded research R01 grant

Targeted MDM2 Degraders for Better Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Therapy

Official title: Targeted MDM2 degradation for improved treatment for triple-negative breast cancer

Funded at University of Tennessee Health Sci Ctr · NIH-11385538 · Data updated 2026-11-12

A new option for people with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) aims to degrade the MDM2 protein to improve treatment outcomes.

More Breast Cancer research and trials

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Tennessee Health Sci Ctr
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Memphis, United States)
Project startAugust 7, 2025
Project endJuly 31, 2030
Funding year2026
Award (this year)$645,060
NIH project number5R01CA295996-02
Project IDNIH-11385538 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Patients with triple-negative breast cancer, particularly those whose tumors overexpress MDM2, could benefit from future trials.

Less likely to help

Patients whose tumors do not rely on MDM2 or do not respond to MDM2 degrader strategies may not benefit.

What this research studies

This grant focuses on creating a first-in-class MDM2 degrader that can more effectively fight TNBC by binding to the MDM2 RING domain. Researchers will optimize the CH175 compound to increase how well it binds MDM2 and how potent it is against TNBC in preclinical models. The work involves structure-based design, chemical optimization, and screening of new CH175 analogs to move toward a potential future clinical candidate. If successful, this approach could offer a novel therapy for TNBC patients who currently have limited targeted options.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to a new targeted therapy that improves outcomes for TNBC patients.

How similar studies have gone: Preclinical studies have shown tumor regression with MDM2 degraders in TNBC models, suggesting potential but not yet proven in humans.

Where this research is happening

  • University of Tennessee Health Sci Ctr
    Memphis, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Li, Wei — University of Tennessee Health Sci Ctr
  • Study coordinator: Li, Wei

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.