# Targeting ATG4B to Treat Glioblastoma

> **NIH NIH R21** · NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY · 2022 · $230,449

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
Glioblastoma (GBM) is among the most common and malignant tumor in the central nervous system with
an extremely poor prognosis. New treatments for this disease are desperately needed and the protease
ATG4B is a new potential target to reduce GBM tumorgenicity and prolong patient life. Based on strong
preliminary results, we propose to create new ATG4B inhibitors through a collaborative and iterative
process. Our collaborative workflow involves a) optimization of a commercial compound (NSC185058)
with poor potency and drug like characteristics guided by in vitro potency and selectivity, b) evaluation of
blood brain barrier and metabolic performance, and lastly, c) in vivo efficacy investigations combining our
best candidates with radiotherapy and temozolomide. This high risk, high reward project will add validation
to ATG4B as a prime target for GBM treatment and provide new Northwestern-based drug compounds to
combat this dreaded disease.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10453325
- **Project number:** 1R21NS122375-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Shi-Yuan Cheng
- **Activity code:** R21 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $230,449
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2022-04-15 → 2024-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10453325

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10453325, Targeting ATG4B to Treat Glioblastoma (1R21NS122375-01A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10453325. Licensed CC0.

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