Boosting the body's defenses against advanced breast cancer by easing tumor pressure
Improving anti-tumor immunity in advanced breast cancer by targeting solid stress
This project explores how a common blood pressure medicine might help immune cells better fight advanced breast cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Boston University Medical Campus NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11089375 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
For patients with advanced breast cancer, current immune treatments don't always work well, especially if immune cells can't get into the tumor. We've found that breast cancer tumors can be very dense, squeezing blood vessels and making it hard for helpful immune cells to reach the cancer. This project will use a medication called losartan, which is already used for high blood pressure, to see if it can loosen up the tumor tissue, open up blood vessels, and allow more immune cells to get inside. Our goal is to make existing immunotherapies more effective by helping the body's own defenses reach and attack the cancer.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This foundational work is for patients with advanced breast cancer who might benefit from improved immunotherapy responses in the future.
Not a fit: Patients seeking immediate treatment options would not directly benefit from this early-stage laboratory research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could lead to new ways to make immunotherapies more effective for patients with advanced breast cancer.
How similar studies have performed: Previous work by this team has shown that losartan can reduce tumor density and improve immune cell access in laboratory models.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Boston University Medical Campus — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Jones, Dennis — Boston University Medical Campus
- Study coordinator: Jones, Dennis
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.