# Targeting Kif11 to Treat Glioblastoma Invasion and Proliferation

> **NIH NIH R01** · MAYO CLINIC  JACKSONVILLE · 2020 · $578,057

## Abstract

PROJECT DESCRIPTION
The ability of glioblastomas to proliferate in an uncontrollable manner and disperse widely within normal brain
define the malignant phenotype and make this disease uniformly lethal. We have identified an enzyme that is
essential for both glioblastoma invasion and proliferation—Kif11. This enzyme is a molecular motor of the
mitotic kinesin family, and is needed both for formation of the mitotic spindle during mitosis as well as for
microtubule-based cell motility. Furthermore, it can be inhibited with clinically available drugs that we have
shown significantly prolong survival in mouse models of glioblastoma. In this application, we will examine how
to optimize the delivery of these drugs to the central nervous system and to identify and overcome the
mechanisms tumor cells use to develop resistance to them. Results from these translational studies will be
vital to our ongoing efforts at developing Kif11 inhibitors as new and effective therapies for the treatment of
glioblastoma.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9844075
- **Project number:** 5R01NS073610-08
- **Recipient organization:** MAYO CLINIC  JACKSONVILLE
- **Principal Investigator:** Peter Canoll
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $578,057
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2017-07-01 → 2021-12-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9844075

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9844075, Targeting Kif11 to Treat Glioblastoma Invasion and Proliferation (5R01NS073610-08). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9844075. Licensed CC0.

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