Blocking RANKL to stop breast cancer spread to bone and lift immune suppression
Mechanisms and therapeutic targeting of osteoimmune functions of RANKL in breast cancer
Trying to block a bone-derived signal called RANKL that helps breast cancer spread to bone and weakens immune cells, for people whose breast cancer has reached the bones.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Alabama at Birmingham NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Birmingham, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11306090 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project looks at how a molecule called RANKL from breast tumors changes bone and immune cells to help cancer grow in bone. Researchers will use lab models, animal studies, and analysis of human tumor and immune samples to see how RANKL drives immunosuppressive myeloid cells and PD-L1 expression. They will test ways to block RANKL signaling and related pathways (including Lgr4) and explore combinations that might restore immune attack on tumor cells. The goal is to identify approaches that could be moved toward treatments to protect bone and improve cancer control.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with breast cancer that has spread to bone, particularly those with evidence of active bone disease or immune suppression, would be the most relevant candidates for related clinical efforts.
Not a fit: Patients with early-stage breast cancer that has not metastasized to bone, people with other non-breast cancers, or those unable to provide tissue or attend study sites are unlikely to benefit directly.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reduce bone damage from metastases and make the immune system better able to fight breast cancer in patients with bone spread.
How similar studies have performed: Drugs that block RANKL (for example, denosumab) already help protect bone, but using RANKL targeting specifically to reverse immune suppression and improve cancer control is a newer approach with limited clinical proof to date.
Where this research is happening
Birmingham, United States
- University of Alabama at Birmingham — Birmingham, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ponnazhagan, Selvarangan — University of Alabama at Birmingham
- Study coordinator: Ponnazhagan, Selvarangan
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.