Targeting a key protein interaction to improve cancer treatment
Official title: Targeting central regulation of oncogenic signaling through inhibition of translation initiation complex eIF4F
Funded at Southern Illinois Univ at Edwardsville · NIH-10895373 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking for new medicines that can block a specific interaction between two proteins that help cancer cells grow and resist treatment, with the hope of finding better ways to fight cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Southern Illinois Univ at Edwardsville NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Edwardsville, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2023 |
| Project end | July 1, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $180,625 |
| NIH project number | 5R16GM150772-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10895373 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients with cancers that exhibit high levels of protein synthesis and have developed resistance to standard therapies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with early-stage cancers that have not yet developed resistance to treatment may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing new small molecule inhibitors that can disrupt the interaction between two proteins, eIF4E and eIF4G, which play a crucial role in cancer cell growth and drug resistance. By targeting this interaction, the research aims to reduce protein synthesis that contributes to tumor progression and chemoresistance. The approach involves computational methods to identify potential drug candidates that can effectively inhibit this protein-protein interaction, potentially leading to more effective cancer therapies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments that overcome drug resistance in cancer patients, improving survival rates and quality of life.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in targeting protein-protein interactions in cancer, suggesting that this approach could be a viable strategy for developing new therapies.
Where this research is happening
-
Southern Illinois Univ at Edwardsville
Edwardsville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Patel, Bhargav Ashokbhai — Southern Illinois Univ at Edwardsville
- Study coordinator: Patel, Bhargav Ashokbhai
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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.