Autophagy and vesicle trafficking linked to HER2+ breast cancer progression
Official title: Intersection of autophagy and vesicle trafficking in Her2-positive breast cancer
Funded at University of Cincinnati · NIH-11320779 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A cancer research project aims to understand how cell recycling processes and vesicle movement affect HER2-positive breast cancer, with potential implications for metastasis and resistance to therapy.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Cincinnati NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cincinnati, United States) |
| Project start | July 13, 2023 |
| Project end | May 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $407,633 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA211066-09 |
| Project ID | NIH-11320779 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Women with HER2-positive breast cancer, including those with metastatic disease or treatment resistance, may benefit from advances arising from this research.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without HER2-positive disease or those not affected by autophagy-related pathways may not benefit from these findings.
What this research studies
This project studies how autophagy and vesicle trafficking contribute to the behavior of HER2-positive breast cancer using mouse models and human tumor cells. Researchers have shown that blocking autophagy can reduce HER2 on the cell surface and alter trafficking, which may impact tumor growth and spread. The work focuses on the molecular pathways that control how cancer cells transport and release HER2-containing vesicles, potentially revealing new targets for therapy. The findings could inform strategies to overcome therapy resistance and prevent metastasis in patients with HER2-positive breast cancer.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the research could identify new ways to limit metastasis and improve responses to existing HER2-targeted therapies.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work in mouse and human tumor models showed that autophagy influences HER2 levels and metastatic behavior, supporting the potential for translational impact.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Cincinnati
Cincinnati, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Guan, Jun-Lin — University of Cincinnati
- Study coordinator: Guan, Jun-Lin
Related research
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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.