Targeting a specific enzyme to treat cancer
Official title: Targeting the detoxification function of the enzyme KDSR for cancer therapy
Funded at Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester · NIH-10993196 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how blocking a specific enzyme called KDSR can make cancer cells less healthy by causing a buildup of harmful substances, and it hopes to find out which types of cancer might be most affected, so that new treatments can be developed to help patients.
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 start | January 16, 2023 |
| Project end | December 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $387,025 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA269711-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10993196 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients with specific types of cancer that show elevated levels of the toxic metabolite 3KDS and are dependent on KDSR for detoxification.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with cancers that do not rely on KDSR for detoxification or those with advanced-stage cancers may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the role of the enzyme KDSR in cancer cells, focusing on how its inhibition can lead to the accumulation of toxic metabolites that harm cancer cells. By understanding the metabolic pathways involved, the researchers aim to identify cancer types that are particularly dependent on KDSR for detoxification. The study will explore how disrupting this enzyme can impair the function of cancer cells, potentially leading to new therapeutic strategies. Patients may benefit from targeted therapies that exploit this vulnerability in their cancer cells.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new cancer therapies that specifically target and kill cancer cells by disrupting their detoxification processes.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in targeting metabolic enzymes for cancer therapy, indicating that this approach could be a viable strategy.
Where this research is happening
-
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
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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.