Blocking cancer cells from becoming resistant to treatment

Preventing adaptive drug resistance through Mediator kinase inhibition

NIH-funded research University of South Carolina at Columbia · NIH-10885101

This study is looking at how some breast cancer cells become resistant to treatments and is testing new drugs that target a specific protein to help make those treatments work better for people with HER2-positive breast cancer.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of South Carolina at Columbia NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Columbia, United States)
Project IDNIH-10885101 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates how certain cancer cells adapt to treatments, making them resistant to drugs. By focusing on a specific protein called Mediator kinase, the study aims to prevent these adaptations in HER2-positive breast cancer. Researchers will use both laboratory cell lines and animal models to test the effectiveness of new drugs that inhibit Mediator kinase, analyzing how this affects the cancer's ability to resist therapies like lapatinib and paclitaxel. The goal is to understand the mechanisms behind drug resistance and find ways to enhance the effectiveness of existing cancer treatments.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are patients with HER2-positive breast cancer who are undergoing treatment.

Not a fit: Patients with other types of breast cancer or those who are not currently receiving treatment may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective cancer treatments that prevent drug resistance, improving outcomes for patients with breast cancer.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promise in targeting similar pathways to combat drug resistance, suggesting that this approach may be effective.

Where this research is happening

Columbia, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions Anti-Cancer AgentsBreast CancerBreast Cancer cell line
Last reviewed 2026-06-10 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.