Federal Project Grant Award Summary

Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine of Case Western Reserve University received a $443,052 Project Grant from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) under the Cancer Biology Research program (CFDA 93.396) awarded August 1, 2026, with completion targeted for July 31, 2031. The grant funds fundamental cancer biology research investigating the role of WNK1 (With-No-Lysine Kinase 1) in glioblastoma progression and therapeutic resistance. The research deliverables include mechanistic studies examining how WNK1 drives glioblastoma cancer stem cell survival through both kinase-dependent and kinase-independent pathways, with particular focus on WNK1's regulation of the proto-oncogene MYC and its interaction with the gap junction protein connexin 43 (CX43).

The specific research products to be delivered include detailed molecular characterization of WNK1's kinase-dependent mechanisms in MYC messenger RNA expression, identification of kinase-independent functions governing MYC protein regulation, and validation of WNK1's role in glioblastoma growth and therapeutic resistance. These findings are intended to provide foundational knowledge for potential therapeutic interventions targeting WNK1 to overcome cancer stem cell-driven tumor recurrence, ultimately advancing treatment strategies for glioblastoma, the most common primary malignant brain cancer. Research activities will be conducted at the awardee's Cleveland, Ohio location.