Understanding how a cancer pathway works in blood cancers
Official title: Divergent Functions of ERK Substrate Binding Domains in Pathogenesis of Myeloproliferative Neoplasms
Funded at Research Inst of Fox Chase Can Ctr · NIH-11122246 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This research explores new ways to target a common cancer pathway in blood cancers by focusing on specific parts of a protein that act like "accelerator" and "brake" pedals.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Research Inst of Fox Chase Can Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project start | July 6, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $707,044 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA283396-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11122246 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with myeloproliferative neoplasms or other cancers driven by the Ras/MAPK pathway may eventually benefit from this research.
✕Less likely to help
Patients whose cancers do not involve the Ras/MAPK pathway or similar protein mechanisms may not directly benefit from this specific approach.
What this research studies
Many cancers involve an overactive pathway called Ras/MAPK, but current treatments often don't work well long-term. This project suggests that targeting the "active sites" of proteins in this pathway is like trying to stop a car by pressing both the gas and brake at the same time. Instead, we believe a better approach is to develop medicines that specifically slow down the "accelerator" part of a key protein, ERK1/2, while letting the "brake" part work. This could lead to more effective treatments for blood cancers like myeloproliferative neoplasms.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new, more effective drugs for myeloproliferative neoplasms and other cancers by targeting specific protein interactions rather than just their active sites.
How similar studies have gone: While targeting the Ras/MAPK pathway has had limited success with active-site inhibitors, this novel approach of targeting specific substrate binding domains is less explored.
Where this research is happening
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Research Inst of Fox Chase Can Ctr
Philadelphia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wiest, David L. — Research Inst of Fox Chase Can Ctr
- Study coordinator: Wiest, David L.
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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.