Targeting PAK4 in Ewing sarcoma to improve outcomes
Official title: Dissecting and targeting PAK4 in Ewing sarcoma
Funded at Emory University · NIH-11365885 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new approach aims to block PAK4, a protein that helps Ewing sarcoma spread, to improve survival for patients with this pediatric bone cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Emory University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Atlanta, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $1,308,730 |
| NIH project number | 4R01CA287083-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11365885 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are individuals with Ewing sarcoma, especially those with metastatic or relapsed disease, for whom targeted PAK4 therapies could be considered in the future.
✕Less likely to help
Patients whose tumors do not rely on PAK4 signaling or who cannot tolerate targeted therapies may not experience direct benefit.
What this research studies
Ewing sarcoma is a dangerous bone cancer that often affects young people. This project proposes to study PAK4, a protein linked to cancer growth and metastasis, and to develop ways to inhibit it in Ewing sarcoma cells and models. By combining lab experiments with animal studies, the team will explore how blocking PAK4 affects tumor behavior and responsiveness to treatment. The goal is to identify promising strategies that could translate into new therapies for patients with high-risk or relapsed disease. If successful, this work could lead to targeted treatments that complement existing chemotherapy and surgery options.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients with Ewing sarcoma could have new targeted treatment options that slow or stop tumor spread and improve survival.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies in other cancers suggest PAK4 is involved in metastasis and drug resistance, supporting the potential value of this approach in ES, though disease-specific results are still emerging.
Where this research is happening
-
Emory University
Atlanta, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Yustein, Jason — Emory University
- Study coordinator: Yustein, Jason
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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.