3D tumor slice test to guide treatment for triple-negative breast cancer
Validation of a novel 3D culture platform for TNBC treatment selection
A lab-grown 3D tumor slice test that aims to help people with early triple-negative breast cancer pick the chemo and immunotherapy most likely to work for them.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Methodist Hospital Research Institute NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11159722 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you have early triple-negative breast cancer, researchers would take a sample of your tumor (from biopsy or surgery) and grow tiny 3D slices called E-slices in the lab. They will expose those E-slices to the chemoimmunotherapy drugs now used for early TNBC to see which treatments kill the tumor cells best in the dish. The team at Houston Methodist, MD Anderson, and biotech partner EMPIRI will compare the lab results to how patients actually respond to treatment to see if the test predicts outcomes. If validated, the test could offer personalized treatment guidance more quickly and cheaply than current organoid or PDX methods.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with early-stage triple-negative breast cancer who are undergoing biopsy or surgery and are being considered for chemoimmunotherapy are the ideal candidates.
Not a fit: Patients with other breast cancer subtypes, those with advanced/metastatic disease, or those without available tumor tissue are unlikely to benefit from this test as currently designed.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could help personalize chemoimmunotherapy so more patients receive effective treatments and fewer endure ineffective therapies and side effects.
How similar studies have performed: Other functional models such as organoids and patient-derived xenografts have shown promise but are slow and costly, making this 3D tumor slice approach relatively novel and still in the validation phase.
Where this research is happening
Houston, United States
- Methodist Hospital Research Institute — Houston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Yun, Kyuson — Methodist Hospital Research Institute
- Study coordinator: Yun, Kyuson
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.