Using lymphoma's own faulty proteins to trigger self‑destruction in diffuse large B‑cell lymphoma
Official title: HIJACKING CANCER DRIVERS TO ACTIVATE PROAPOPTOTIC GENES IN DLBCL
Funded at Stanford University · NIH-11237062 · Data updated 2026-11-12
New small molecules aim to bring lymphoma's abnormal proteins to the right DNA switches so diffuse large B‑cell lymphoma cells turn on self‑destruct genes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Stanford University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Stanford, United States) |
| Project start | December 22, 2022 |
| Project end | November 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $594,658 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA276167-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11237062 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with diffuse large B‑cell lymphoma—especially those whose tumors show BCL6 involvement or who have relapsed or refractory disease—would be the most relevant candidates.
✕Less likely to help
People with other cancers or whose tumors lack the specific BCL6/activator features targeted by these molecules are unlikely to benefit from this approach.
What this research studies
Researchers are creating bifunctional small molecules called TCIPs that link a lymphoma 'driver' protein (BCL6) to activator proteins at the promoters of pro‑death genes. The idea is to force the cancer cell's own machinery to switch on apoptosis programs that are normally kept off. The team will optimize these compounds and test them in laboratory models of diffuse large B‑cell lymphoma to measure how effectively they kill tumor cells. If the lab results are strong, the work could move toward testing in patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could become a targeted therapy that makes DLBCL cells self‑destruct and potentially improves outcomes with fewer side effects.
How similar studies have gone: Related bifunctional drug strategies like PROTACs have shown promise, but using such molecules to force cancer drivers to activate death genes is largely novel and unproven in patients.
Where this research is happening
-
Stanford University
Stanford, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Crabtree, Gerald R. — Stanford University
- Study coordinator: Crabtree, Gerald R.
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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.