Using the cell's protein-removal machinery to target cancer proteins
Harnessing E3 Ligases for Cancer Therapy
['FUNDING_R01'] · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA BERKELEY · NIH-11135594
Developing small molecules that tag cancer-causing proteins for destruction to help people whose tumors depend on those hard-to-target proteins.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA BERKELEY (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (BERKELEY, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11135594 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
Researchers are designing new small molecules that bring the cell's E3 ligases and proteasome into contact with harmful cancer proteins so those proteins get tagged and broken down. The team will use chemical design, screening, and chemoproteomics to find both PROTAC-like bifunctional molecules and single-site 'molecular glue' degraders. They plan to expand which E3 ligases can be used and to develop covalent approaches to destabilize oncogenic transcription factors that are currently undruggable. This is primarily laboratory and preclinical work to create drug candidates for future testing in patients.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: In the future, people with cancers driven by specific oncogenic or 'undruggable' proteins—especially tumors resistant to standard therapies—would be the most likely candidates for related clinical trials.
Not a fit: Patients whose tumors are not driven by the targeted proteins or who need immediate, proven treatments are unlikely to benefit directly from this preclinical project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could create new classes of cancer drugs able to eliminate proteins that current therapies cannot reach.
How similar studies have performed: Related strategies such as PROTACs and molecular glues have already shown promise and entered early clinical trials, but expanding the range of usable E3 ligases and covalent glue approaches is newer and less tested.
Where this research is happening
BERKELEY, UNITED STATES
- UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA BERKELEY — BERKELEY, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: NOMURA, DANIEL — UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA BERKELEY
- Study coordinator: NOMURA, DANIEL
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 below.
Conditions: Anti-Cancer Agents