K Scholar receives NIH grant for drug interaction study

Jason A. Sprowl, PhD.

Jason A. Sprowl, PhD

Published December 14, 2021

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Jason A. Sprowl, PhD, Assistant Professor, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, a University at Buffalo Clinical and Translational Science Institute (CTSI) K Scholar, has received a five-year, $2.3 million grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) National Institute of General Medical Sciences to lead an exploration of how tyrosine kinases affect the removal of drugs by the liver.

As reported in UBNow (and in a School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences story), the research will examine the little understood interactions between tyrosine kinases and drug transporter proteins in the liver, which helps regulate drug absorption, distribution, metabolism and elimination. Sprowl says the results may help researchers and clinicians refine therapeutic strategies to prevent life-threatening drug interactions and drug toxicity.

“To date, our group has already discovered that tyrosine kinase inhibitors turn off proteins that keep these transporter proteins in an active state,” Sprowl explains. “This study will investigate how this inactivation occurs, and will help in the design of new therapeutics or dosing strategies that will sustain the function of these important proteins, thus preventing life-threatening side effects.”

In a July 2020 CTSI Translational Spotlight feature, Sprowl reflected on how the K Scholar program would impact his research goals.

“To be included as a CTSI K Scholar, which is comprised of highly reputable colleagues and alumni, is a great honor,” he said. “The training and mentoring I will receive from this program will ensure my transition to an independently funded investigator, and enable me to conduct translational research that can improve the clinical outcome of individual patients.”