Ceramide signals and PD-L1 help in triple-negative breast cancer spread and response to immunotherapy
Official title: Ceramide metabolism and the regulation of PD-L1 signaling to control metastasis and resistance to immunotherapy in TNBC
Funded at Medical University of South Carolina · NIH-11399097 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This grant tests how fat molecules inside TNBC cells influence PD-L1 and help cancer spread, with the goal of improving immunotherapy results for patients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Medical University of South Carolina NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Charleston, United States) |
| Project start | August 31, 2018 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $371,074 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA214461-09 |
| Project ID | NIH-11399097 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with triple-negative breast cancer, especially those with metastatic disease or resistance to immunotherapy, may be eligible for related future studies or trials.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without TNBC or without access to immunotherapy advances may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
Researchers will study how changes in ceramide metabolism affect PD-L1 on cancer cells and the signaling networks that drive metastasis in triple-negative breast cancer. Using human cancer samples and model systems, they will test whether restoring certain ceramides can reduce metastasis and enhance immunotherapy response. The work combines molecular biology with cancer biology to uncover targets that could make immunotherapies work better for TNBC patients. Results could point to new strategies to prevent spread and overcome resistance to PD-1/PD-L1 therapies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could lead to new treatments that make immunotherapy more effective for TNBC and reduce metastasis.
How similar studies have gone: Recent studies show ceramide pathways influence cancer spread and therapy response, supporting this approach as promising but still exploratory.
Where this research is happening
-
Medical University of South Carolina
Charleston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ogretmen, Besim — Medical University of South Carolina
- Study coordinator: Ogretmen, Besim
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Enhanced Viro-Immunotherapy for Breast Cancer Brain Metastasis
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Enhanced virus-based immunotherapy for breast cancer that has spread to the brain
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Improving viral immunotherapy for breast cancer that has spread to the brain
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Improving immune treatments for cancers that have spread to the brain
Researchers will try blocking a molecule called TGF-β in lymph nodes to help immune therapies work better for people whose cancer has spread to the brain.
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How changes in a fat molecule called ceramide affect PD-L1 and treatment response in triple-negative breast cancer
This research looks at whether lowering ceramide levels in triple-negative breast cancer changes PD-L1 behavior and could help people respond better to immunotherapy.
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Improving treatment for breast cancer that has spread to the brain
This study is looking for ways to make a promising new treatment for breast cancer that has spread to the brain work better, by helping your immune system fight the cancer more effectively.
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.