ARIH1 inhibitors as a new targeted therapy for triple-negative breast cancer
Official title: Development of ARIH1 inhibitors as a novel targeted therapy in cancer
Funded at Toomer Therapeutics, INC. · NIH-11312958 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are testing ARIH1 inhibitors to help treat triple-negative breast cancer by making cancer cells more sensitive to chemotherapy and less able to spread.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Toomer Therapeutics, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Mount Pleasant, United States) |
| Project start | September 2, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $400,000 |
| NIH project number | 1R41CA302048-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11312958 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with triple-negative breast cancer, particularly those whose tumors show high ARIH1 activity, could be candidates for future trials.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without TNBC or with tumors that do not rely on ARIH1 may not benefit from ARIH1-targeted approaches.
What this research studies
In this project, scientists are exploring small molecule inhibitors of ARIH1, an enzyme linked to tumor growth and metastasis in triple-negative breast cancer. They have identified initial compounds that can block ARIH1 activity in the lab and may reduce cancer stemness and resistance to chemotherapy. The next steps include testing these inhibitors in cellular and animal models to understand their effects on tumor growth and response to standard treatments. The ultimate goal is to develop a new targeted therapy that could improve outcomes for patients with TNBC and potentially other cancers.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to a new drug that makes TNBC more responsive to chemotherapy and less likely to metastasize.
How similar studies have gone: Preclinical studies have shown that reducing ARIH1 activity can inhibit cancer stemness and increase chemotherapy sensitivity in TNBC models.
Where this research is happening
-
Toomer Therapeutics, INC.
Mount Pleasant, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Howe, Philip H — Toomer Therapeutics, INC.
- Study coordinator: Howe, Philip H
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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.