# Targeting DEPTOR in multiple myeloma

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES · 2021 · $288,225

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
Preliminary work indicates the mTOR-binding protein DEPTOR is a potential molecular target for therapy in
multiple myeloma. It is specifically upregulated in this disease and its silencing is lethal to myeloma cells. We,
thus, identified a potential DEPTOR inhibitor in a high-throughput drug screen. The inhibitor is effective in
myeloma cells with the expected molecular alterations and induction of death. In this proposal we plan to
further develop this inhibitor. We will generate biochemical derivatives with the aim of enhancing the
therapeutic index of DEPTOR inhibitors, identify the mechanism of action of where the inhibitors first bind in
myeloma cells, ascertain possible toxicity to normal tissues in mice with deleted DEPTOR expression and
assess possible interactions with other anti-myeloma therapeutics that are used in the clinic. Our expectation is
that these new drugs will be important additions to the armamentarium used in myeloma patients and,
furthermore, they will be specifically tailored to patients with tumors that have high DEPTOR expression.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10219172
- **Project number:** 5R01CA211562-05
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES
- **Principal Investigator:** ALAN K LICHTENSTEIN
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $288,225
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2017-08-01 → 2023-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10219172

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10219172, Targeting DEPTOR in multiple myeloma (5R01CA211562-05). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10219172. Licensed CC0.

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