BRD8's role in hormone-receptor positive, HER2-positive breast cancer
Official title: Functions of BRD8 in HR+/HER2+ breast cancer
Funded at University of Wisconsin-Madison · NIH-11284108 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at whether targeting a protein called BRD8 can help people with hormone-receptor positive, HER2-positive breast cancer respond better to HER2 treatments.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Wisconsin-Madison NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Madison, United States) |
| Project start | March 10, 2023 |
| Project end | February 29, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $401,853 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA281024-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11284108 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with hormone receptor–positive, HER2-positive breast cancer—especially those whose tumors are resistant or less responsive to standard HER2 therapies—are the group this research aims to help.
✕Less likely to help
Patients whose tumors are HER2-negative or who do not have hormone-receptor positive breast cancer are unlikely to benefit from BRD8-targeted approaches.
What this research studies
This work examines HR+/HER2+ tumors and lab models to understand how a protein called BRD8 connects estrogen and HER2 signaling. Researchers use single-cell RNA sequencing on patient tumor samples and manipulate BRD8 levels in breast cancer cell lines and mouse xenografts to study tumor growth and drug response. They test whether removing or reducing BRD8 slows tumor growth and makes cancers that resist HER2 drugs become more sensitive. Early lab and animal results guide ideas for possible future treatments aimed at people whose tumors express both hormone receptors and HER2.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could lead to new ways to overcome resistance and make HER2-targeted therapies work better for people with HR+/HER2+ breast cancer.
How similar studies have gone: Early laboratory and animal studies reported here show that reducing BRD8 can slow growth and increase sensitivity to HER2 agents, but this approach is still at a preclinical stage and has not yet been tested in people.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Madison, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Xu, Wei — University of Wisconsin-Madison
- Study coordinator: Xu, Wei
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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.