This Project Grant award from the National Cancer Institute (CFDA 93.395 - Cancer Treatment Research) to Texas A&M University is focused on developing novel small molecule and peptide inhibitors targeting the ENL protein, a key driver of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The $476,558 award supports a 5-year research effort to:
Develop more potent, stable, and selective small molecule ENL inhibitors and proteolysis targeting chimera (PROTAC) compounds;
Develop more potent, stable, and selective peptidic ENL inhibitors and PROTACs; and
Conduct pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic analyses on these molecules to identify potential investigational new drugs for MLL-rearranged AML.
This multi-platform approach aims to identify promising drug candidates that can effectively target the dysregulated gene expressions driving AML, with the goal of revolutionizing treatment and improving survival rates for patients with this aggressive form of blood and bone marrow cancer.