Blocking PELP1 to improve treatment for triple-negative breast cancer
Targeting PELP1 oncogenic functions in DNA repair for treating triple negative breast cancer
This project tests a new drug that blocks PELP1 to help DNA-targeting chemotherapy work better for people with triple-negative breast cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | South Texas Veterans Health Care System NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Antonio, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11213962 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will work with a PELP1-blocking compound called SMIP34 to see how it affects DNA repair and replication stress in triple-negative breast cancer. They will study tumor cells and animal models to learn whether blocking PELP1 makes topoisomerase inhibitor chemotherapy more effective. The team aims to understand mechanisms of resistance so they can design drug combinations that kill aggressive tumors. If lab results look promising, the work could lead toward trials involving patients, particularly veterans seen at VA centers.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with triple-negative breast cancer—especially those with aggressive, metastatic, or treatment‑resistant tumors and patients receiving care in VA centers—would be the most likely candidates.
Not a fit: Patients with hormone-receptor–positive or HER2-positive breast cancers, or tumors that do not depend on PELP1, may not benefit from this approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could make existing chemotherapies more effective against triple-negative breast cancer and help overcome treatment resistance.
How similar studies have performed: Topoisomerase inhibitors are already used for TNBC, but combining them with a first-in-class PELP1 inhibitor is a novel strategy with encouraging lab data yet unproven in people.
Where this research is happening
San Antonio, United States
- South Texas Veterans Health Care System — San Antonio, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Vadlamudi, Ratna K — South Texas Veterans Health Care System
- Study coordinator: Vadlamudi, Ratna K
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.