Understanding how certain drugs can unexpectedly activate cancer-related proteins
Official title: Allosteric mechanisms driving paradoxical activation of RAF kinases
Funded at University of Minnesota · NIH-10978890 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how changes in a protein called BRAF can make certain cancers, like melanoma and colon cancer, harder to treat with current drugs, and it hopes to find better ways to help patients by understanding how these changes happen.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Minnesota NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Minneapolis, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $470,464 |
| NIH project number | 1R01CA282176-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10978890 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients with melanoma, thyroid cancer, or colon cancer who have mutations in the BRAF gene.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without BRAF mutations or those with other types of cancer may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the mechanisms by which mutations in the BRAF protein kinase contribute to the development of cancers such as melanoma, thyroid cancer, and colon cancer. It focuses on how existing drugs initially work but lead to resistance due to the formation of BRAF dimers, which change the protein's structure and prevent drug binding. By using advanced techniques like cryo-electron microscopy and FRET measurements, the study aims to model the allosteric interactions that cause these unexpected drug effects, potentially leading to the development of more effective treatments.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to the creation of new cancer therapies that effectively target BRAF mutations without triggering drug resistance.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in understanding BRAF mutations and developing targeted therapies, but the specific mechanisms of paradoxical activation are still being explored.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Minnesota
Minneapolis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Levinson, Nicholas Mark — University of Minnesota
- Study coordinator: Levinson, Nicholas Mark
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.