Teen New Yorker Develops Peptide Method to Block Cancer-Driving Protein
Seventeen-year-old Ashka Shah of Jericho High School created a peptide that stops mutant beta-catenin from entering the nucleus, halting tumor growth while preserving its normal cellular role.
Ashka Shah, a senior at Jericho High School on Long Island, engineered a precision peptide that interferes with Gid8-mediated nuclear translocation of mutant beta-catenin, a key driver of Wnt-dependent cancers. By binding a specific segment of beta-catenin, the peptide prevents the protein from activating oncogenic genes while allowing it to maintain its essential role in cell adhesion. Experiments using Drosophila, human liver cancer cell lines, and molecular binding assays confirmed the approach halted tumor-related signaling without toxic effects on normal tissue.
Her research was recognized as a finalist entry in the 2026 Regeneron Science Talent Search, a competition administered by the Society for Science. Shah also leads her school’s Medical Minds Club, captains the varsity fencing team, and participates in community service. The study suggests peptide-based gene therapy could offer a more selective alternative to conventional cancer treatments that damage healthy cells.
Why it matters
A targeted therapy that spares healthy cells could reduce side effects and improve outcomes for patients with Wnt-driven cancers.
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