Breast cancer's role in opening the blood-brain barrier and causing brain metastasis
Official title: Breast cancer cells secrete glycosylated protein to facilitate blood-brain barrier opening and brain metastasis
Funded at University of Illinois at Chicago · NIH-11128244 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain breast cancer cells can get into the brain by opening a protective barrier, and it focuses on a protein called fetuin-A that might help with this process, all to find new ways to stop or treat brain metastases in people with breast cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Illinois at Chicago NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | March 1, 2025 |
| Project end | February 28, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $479,591 |
| NIH project number | 1R01CA289701-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11128244 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients with late-stage breast cancer who are at risk of developing brain metastases.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with early-stage breast cancer or those whose cancer has not metastasized to the brain may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how metastatic breast cancer cells can open the blood-brain barrier (BBB), which is crucial for understanding how breast cancer spreads to the brain. The study focuses on a specific protein, fetuin-A, secreted by cancer cells that appears to facilitate this process. By examining the mechanisms involved, including the role of glycosylation and interactions with brain endothelial cells, the research aims to uncover potential therapeutic targets to prevent or treat brain metastases in breast cancer patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments that enable drugs to effectively target and treat brain metastases in breast cancer patients.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that understanding the mechanisms of blood-brain barrier permeability can lead to advancements in treating brain metastases, indicating potential success for this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Illinois at Chicago
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Yamada, Kaori Horiguchi — University of Illinois at Chicago
- Study coordinator: Yamada, Kaori Horiguchi
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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.