Targeting ULK to change cancer and immune cell metabolism
ULK Inhibition Rewires Tumor and Immune Cell Metabolism
This project tests a new drug that blocks ULK1 to alter metabolism in KRAS-mutant lung cancers and help immune cells better attack tumors.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Henry Ford Health + Michigan State University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (East Lansing, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11238522 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers developed a selective small molecule called ULK-101 that blocks ULK1, a key controller of autophagy, and will study how this affects both tumor cells and tumor-infiltrating immune cells. The team will use laboratory models, metabolic tracing experiments, and patient-derived samples to see how blocking autophagy changes nutrient use and immune cell function in the tumor microenvironment. The work focuses on KRAS-driven lung adenocarcinoma, a common and hard-to-treat form of lung cancer, and specifically looks at effects on CD8+ T cells that fight tumors. Findings could point to ways to combine ULK inhibitors with immunotherapy to improve responses.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with KRAS-mutant lung adenocarcinoma, especially those receiving or eligible for immune checkpoint therapy, would be the most relevant candidates for this work.
Not a fit: Patients whose tumors do not have KRAS mutations or whose cancers are driven by unrelated mechanisms are less likely to benefit from this ULK-targeted approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could lead to a new targeted drug that improves outcomes and makes immunotherapies work better for people with KRAS-mutant lung cancer.
How similar studies have performed: Preclinical studies targeting autophagy have shown promise but were limited by weak or nonselective drugs, and this work uses a novel, more selective ULK1 inhibitor that is less tested in humans.
Where this research is happening
East Lansing, United States
- Henry Ford Health + Michigan State University Health Sciences — East Lansing, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mackeigan, Jeffrey Paul — Henry Ford Health + Michigan State University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Mackeigan, Jeffrey Paul
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 below.