# Project 4: Targeting Glutamine Metabolism in Colorectal Cancer Harboring PIK3CA Mutations

> **NIH NIH P50** · CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY · 2021 · $232,499

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
The overarching goal of this project is to develop precision therapies that target glutamine metabolism of
colorectal cancers (CRCs) that harbor PIK3CA mutations. As a metabolite, glutamine is first converted to
glutamate by glutaminase and then to α-ketoglutarate (α-KG) by transaminases to replenish the tricarboxylic
acid (TCA) cycle. This proposal is based on our preliminary studies showing that: (i) CRCs with PIK3CA
mutations are addicted to glutamine through upregulation of glutamate pyruvate transaminase 2 (GPT2); (ii) a
glutaminase inhibitor, CB-839, suppresses the growth of PIK3CA mutant CRC xenografts; (iii) aminooxyacetate
(AOA), an inhibitor of GPT2 and other aminotransferases, inhibits the growth of PIK3CA mutant CRC xenografts;
(iv) neither CB-839 nor AOA inhibit growth of CRC xenograft with WT PIK3CA; and (v) combination of CB-839
with 5-FU overcomes resistance to 5-FU alone in xenografts. In Aim 1, we will elucidate the mechanisms by
which CB-839 augments the activity of 5-FU in PIK3CA mutant CRCs. In Aim 2, we will perform clinical trials to
assess the pharmacodynamic effects and clinical activity of CB-839 in CRC patients with PIK3CA mutant tumors.
In Aim 3, we will develop more potent and specific GPT2 inhibitors as tool compounds to validate GPT2 as a
viable cancer target. One of the PIs (ZW) co-discovered that PIK3CA is highly mutated in many human cancers,
including ~20% of CRCs. These studies will lead to an innovative selective approach to treating CRC patients
whose tumors harbor PIK3CA mutations, and development of novel GPT2 inhibitors that could be further
developed as potential anti-cancer drugs.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10227755
- **Project number:** 5P50CA150964-10
- **Recipient organization:** CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Zhenghe Wang
- **Activity code:** P50 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $232,499
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2011-09-14 → 2023-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10227755

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10227755, Project 4: Targeting Glutamine Metabolism in Colorectal Cancer Harboring PIK3CA Mutations (5P50CA150964-10). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-27 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10227755. Licensed CC0.

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