Creating a new imaging tool to improve breast cancer treatment decisions
Official title: Developing PARP-1 PET with companion tissue assay as a precision tool to guide PARPi therapy
Funded at University of Pennsylvania · NIH-11006322 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new way to use PET scans to help doctors figure out which patients with aggressive breast cancer, especially those with BRCA1/2 mutations or triple-negative breast cancer, are likely to benefit from a specific treatment called PARP inhibitors, so they can get the best care possible without unnecessary side effects.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R37 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pennsylvania NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project start | January 5, 2024 |
| Project end | December 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $525,626 |
| NIH project number | 5R37CA277541-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11006322 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients with aggressive breast cancer, particularly those with BRCA1/2 mutations or triple-negative breast cancer.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with non-aggressive breast cancer or those not eligible for PARP inhibitor therapy may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to develop a noninvasive imaging technique that can predict how well patients with aggressive breast cancer will respond to PARP inhibitors, a type of targeted therapy. By using a PET scan combined with tissue assays, the study seeks to identify biomarkers that indicate sensitivity to treatment, allowing for better patient selection and real-time adjustments to therapy. This approach focuses particularly on patients with BRCA1/2 mutations and triple-negative breast cancer, where current treatment options are limited. If successful, this tool could significantly enhance treatment outcomes and reduce unnecessary side effects from ineffective therapies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective and personalized treatment plans for breast cancer patients, minimizing unnecessary drug toxicity.
How similar studies have gone: Preliminary data in breast and ovarian cancer suggest that similar imaging approaches have shown promise, indicating potential success for this innovative method.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mcdonald, Elizabeth — University of Pennsylvania
- Study coordinator: Mcdonald, Elizabeth
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.