Using light to selectively destroy cancer proteins

Red-light driven targeted degradation of cancer proteins

NIH-funded research Columbia Univ New York Morningside · NIH-11062611

This study is exploring a new way to treat cancer by using light to help break down certain proteins in cancer cells, which could make existing treatments work better for patients like you.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionColumbia Univ New York Morningside NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (New York, United States)
Project IDNIH-11062611 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates a novel approach to cancer treatment by using light to trigger the degradation of specific cancer proteins. By employing a technique that activates protein cleavage reactions with visible light, the study aims to bypass the limitations of traditional methods that rely on cellular degradation machinery. This innovative strategy could provide a more effective way to manipulate protein functions in cancer cells, potentially leading to improved therapeutic outcomes. Patients may benefit from this approach as it could enhance the effectiveness of anti-cancer therapies.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research would be patients with cancers that are driven by specific proteins that can be targeted for degradation.

Not a fit: Patients whose cancers do not involve the targeted proteins or who are not responsive to light-activated therapies may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective cancer treatments by enabling targeted degradation of harmful proteins.

How similar studies have performed: While targeted protein degradation is a growing field, this specific approach using light activation is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested in clinical settings.

Where this research is happening

New York, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions anti-cancer immunotherapyanti-cancer therapy
Last reviewed 2026-06-09 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.