Breast cancer disparities: how the immune environment and growth signals affect aggressive cancers
Official title: Immune Microenvironments and Hepatocyte Growth Factor Signaling Interactions in Breast Cancer Disparities
Funded at North Carolina Central University · NIH-11387612 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at why some women develop deadlier breast cancers and how immune and tissue signals near tumors influence outcomes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | North Carolina Central University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Durham, United States) |
| Project start | September 20, 2017 |
| Project end | May 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $241,807 |
| NIH project number | 5U54MD012392-10 |
| Project ID | NIH-11387612 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Women diagnosed with aggressive breast cancer subtypes (basal-like or inflammatory breast cancer), particularly from populations with higher mortality rates.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with less aggressive breast cancers or those not experiencing disparities in outcomes may see limited direct benefit.
What this research studies
The grant studies why certain breast cancers are more deadly by examining immune and stromal cells around tumors and how hepatocyte growth factor signaling interacts with the cancer. It focuses on aggressive subtypes like basal-like breast cancer and inflammatory breast cancer to understand why outcomes differ across populations. Researchers will analyze patient-derived samples and tumor environments to identify mechanisms that drive progression and metastasis. The aim is to uncover clues that could inform earlier detection, better treatments, and reduced disparities for high-risk groups.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could lead to more precise therapies and improved survival for women with aggressive breast cancers.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have linked tumor microenvironment and signaling pathways to breast cancer outcomes, with ongoing efforts building on these findings.
Where this research is happening
-
North Carolina Central University
Durham, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Williams, Kevin Peter — North Carolina Central University
- Study coordinator: Williams, Kevin Peter
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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.