Understanding how to reactivate mutated p53 in cancer cells
Official title: Mechanisms of mutant p53 reactivation
Funded at University of California-Irvine · NIH-10885197 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at ways to create new drugs that can help fix a common problem in many cancers, where a protein called p53 is mutated and can't do its job of stopping tumors from growing, so it could lead to better treatment options for patients with these types of cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California-Irvine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Irvine, United States) |
| Project start | July 10, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $537,081 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA283462-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10885197 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are cancer patients whose tumors express mutated forms of the p53 protein.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with cancers that do not involve p53 mutations may not receive any benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on the tumor suppressor protein p53, which is commonly mutated in various cancers. The project aims to develop drugs that can reactivate these mutated forms of p53, restoring their ability to suppress tumor growth. By investigating the mechanisms behind p53 mutations and their effects on cancer cells, the researchers hope to create effective therapies that target these mutations. Patients with cancers expressing mutated p53 may benefit from new treatment options that emerge from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new therapies that effectively treat cancers associated with mutated p53, improving patient outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: While there have been challenges in developing p53 reactivator drugs, the potential for breakthroughs in this area remains, as similar approaches have shown promise in preliminary studies.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California-Irvine
Irvine, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kaiser, Peter — University of California-Irvine
- Study coordinator: Kaiser, Peter
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.