Boosting a small gene regulator to help triple-negative breast cancer respond better to chemo and radiation
MiR-152/PKM2/SLC7A5 axis in breast cancer development, chemo- and radiation-treatment response
This work looks at whether boosting miR-152 can help people with triple-negative breast cancer respond better to chemotherapy and radiation.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Thomas Jefferson University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11309581 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers are studying how low levels of miR-152 in triple-negative breast cancer cells drive tumor growth and resistance to doxorubicin and radiation. Using laboratory cell lines and patient-derived tumor models (PDX), they will test whether increasing miR-152 or lowering targets such as PKM2 and SLC7A5 reverses the metabolic shift (Warburg effect) that supports resistance. The team will measure tumor growth, metabolic markers, and treatment response after these molecular changes. They will also examine why miR-152 is suppressed, including the role of EZH2 and DNA methylation.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with triple-negative breast cancer, particularly those whose tumors are resistant to doxorubicin or radiation, would be the most relevant candidates.
Not a fit: Patients with hormone-receptor or HER2-positive breast cancer, or those whose tumors do not show low miR-152 or related metabolic changes, may be unlikely to benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could lead to new ways to make triple-negative breast cancers more sensitive to chemotherapy and radiation, improving outcomes.
How similar studies have performed: Preclinical work targeting microRNAs and tumor metabolism has shown promise in lab models, but translating these findings into effective patient treatments is still largely unproven.
Where this research is happening
Philadelphia, United States
- Thomas Jefferson University — Philadelphia, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: He, Jun — Thomas Jefferson University
- Study coordinator: He, Jun
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.