Understanding Hexokinase 2 for Cancer Treatment
Hexokinase 2 and cancer therapy
This work explores how a protein called Hexokinase 2, which is often found in cancer cells but not healthy ones, could be a new target for cancer treatments.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Illinois at Chicago NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-11124742 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Cancer cells use sugar differently than healthy cells, often relying heavily on a protein called Hexokinase 2 (HK2) to grow and spread. This project aims to understand new ways HK2 works, beyond just processing sugar, to find out how it helps cancer cells survive and resist treatments. We are looking into how HK2 affects other proteins important for cell survival and how it might influence the tumor's environment and the effectiveness of immunotherapy. The goal is to uncover new vulnerabilities in cancer cells that could lead to more effective therapies.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This foundational research is not directly recruiting patients, but future clinical trials based on this work would likely focus on adult patients with cancers that show high levels of Hexokinase 2.
Not a fit: Patients whose cancers do not rely on Hexokinase 2 for growth or those with very early-stage cancers might not directly benefit from therapies developed through this specific line of research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new medications that specifically target HK2, offering a novel approach to treat various cancers with potentially fewer side effects than current therapies.
How similar studies have performed: Previous genetic studies in mice have shown that removing HK2 can inhibit cancer growth without significant adverse effects, suggesting this is a promising area for further exploration.
Where this research is happening
Chicago, UNITED STATES
- University of Illinois at Chicago — Chicago, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hay, Nissim — University of Illinois at Chicago
- Study coordinator: Hay, Nissim
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.