Combining DNA-repair targeting and blocking suppressive immune cells in BRCA1/2 breast cancer
Official title: Project 4: Combined targeting of DNA repair and macrophage-mediated immunosuppression in BRCA1/2-associated breast cancer
Funded at Dana-Farber Cancer Inst · NIH-11015469 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project combines PARP inhibitor treatment with drugs that block tumor-associated macrophages to help people with BRCA1 or BRCA2 breast cancer generate a stronger immune attack against their tumors and improve cancer control.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Dana-Farber Cancer Inst NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | September 17, 2013 |
| Project end | July 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $346,781 |
| NIH project number | 2P50CA168504-11 |
| Project ID | NIH-11015469 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with breast cancer who carry BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations, especially those treated with or eligible for PARP inhibitor–based or related neoadjuvant trials.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without BRCA1/2 mutations, those not receiving PARP inhibitors, or those unable to provide tumor biopsies are unlikely to benefit directly from this project.
What this research studies
If I take part, doctors will analyze tumor biopsies taken before and during PARP inhibitor treatment to see how immune cells change over time. They will measure CD8+ T cells and CSF-1R+ tumor-associated macrophages and compare samples from patients who got PARP inhibitors alone versus those who later received combination treatments. The team links laboratory findings that CSF-1R blockade can boost PARP effects to real patient samples from trials such as TALAVE and a niraparib+dostarlimab neoadjuvant trial. The aim is to find whether reducing suppressive macrophages can make PARP therapy work better for people with BRCA1/2 breast cancer.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could improve the effectiveness of PARP inhibitors in BRCA1/2 breast cancer by lowering immune suppression and increasing anti-tumor T cell responses.
How similar studies have gone: PARP inhibitors already benefit many BRCA-mutant cancers and preclinical studies show CSF-1R blockade can enhance PARP effects, while adding PD-1/L1 drugs has not clearly improved outcomes in earlier work.
Where this research is happening
-
Dana-Farber Cancer Inst
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Shapiro, Geoffrey I. — Dana-Farber Cancer Inst
- Study coordinator: Shapiro, Geoffrey I.
Related research
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Combined targeting of DNA repair and macrophage immunosuppression in BRCA-associated breast cancer
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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.