Targeting protein degradation to treat advanced childhood tumors
Official title: PROTECT - Harnessing PROTEin Degradation for Advanced Childhood Tumours
Funded at German Cancer Research Center · NIH-11046871 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on new treatments for kids with solid tumors that haven't responded to regular therapies, using cutting-edge methods to target the specific proteins that fuel these cancers, with the hope of finding better options for young patients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | German Cancer Research Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Heidelberg, Germany) |
| Project start | May 1, 2024 |
| Project end | April 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $506,676 |
| NIH project number | 1OT2CA297568-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11046871 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are children aged 0-11 years diagnosed with advanced solid tumors, including brain tumors.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with tumors that do not involve the specific oncogenic fusions or oncoproteins targeted by this research may not benefit.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing innovative treatments for children with solid tumors, particularly those that have not responded well to traditional therapies. By utilizing advanced techniques like targeted protein degradation and CRISPR-Cas9 screening, the team aims to identify and inhibit specific proteins that drive these cancers. The approach involves a collaborative effort from experts in various fields, including pediatric oncology and medicinal chemistry, to create effective therapies tailored for young patients. The goal is to transform the treatment landscape for childhood cancers by addressing the unique biological challenges they present.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective and targeted treatments for children suffering from advanced tumors, potentially improving survival rates.
How similar studies have gone: While the approach of targeting protein degradation is gaining traction, this specific application in pediatric oncology is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested in prior studies.
Where this research is happening
-
German Cancer Research Center
Heidelberg, Germany Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Pfister, Stefan — German Cancer Research Center
- Study coordinator: Pfister, Stefan
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.