Blocking the RANK pathway to lower breast density
Targeting RANK Pathway in Mammographic Density and Primary Breast Cancer Prevention
This trial gives denosumab, a drug that blocks the RANKL pathway, to high-risk premenopausal women with dense breasts to see if it lowers breast density.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R37 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11182612 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would be randomly assigned to receive denosumab or a comparison treatment and have mammograms taken before and after the treatment period. The team will measure changes in mammographic breast density and look at blood and tissue markers linked to the RANK pathway. The goal is to determine whether blocking RANKL reduces dense breast tissue that is associated with higher breast cancer risk. If the drug lowers density, it could point to a new prevention option for women at elevated risk.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are premenopausal women with dense breasts who are considered at higher-than-average risk for breast cancer and are willing to receive denosumab and follow-up mammograms.
Not a fit: Postmenopausal women, people with low breast density, pregnant or breastfeeding women, or those with medical reasons not to receive denosumab may not benefit from or be eligible for this trial.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could lower mammographic breast density and potentially reduce future breast cancer risk in high-risk premenopausal women.
How similar studies have performed: Observational and some clinical trial data link reductions in breast density to lower cancer rates, but a definitive clinical trial testing RANKL inhibition with denosumab for this purpose has not yet been completed.
Where this research is happening
Saint Louis, United States
- Washington University — Saint Louis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Toriola, Adetunji T — Washington University
- Study coordinator: Toriola, Adetunji T
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.