Creating new rat models to study estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer
Official title: Next Generation Rat Models of ER+ Breast Cancer
Funded at Baylor College of Medicine · NIH-11044083 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is creating special rat models that closely mimic a common type of breast cancer to help researchers understand how the cancer grows and spreads, especially to bones, which could lead to better ways to prevent and treat the disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Baylor College of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project start | March 14, 2022 |
| Project end | February 28, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $595,831 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA271498-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11044083 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer, especially those who may be at risk for metastatic disease.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with other types of breast cancer or those who do not have estrogen receptor-positive tumors may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing advanced rat models that mimic estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) breast cancer, which is a common type of breast cancer. The models are designed to be immunocompetent and capable of spontaneously metastasizing to critical organs like bones, which is essential for understanding the disease's progression. By using these models, researchers aim to gain insights into tumor development and the mechanisms behind bone metastasis, which could lead to better prevention strategies and treatments. The approach involves introducing genetic changes through viral injections to create tumors that respond to endocrine therapies, allowing for a more accurate study of the disease.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved prevention and treatment options for patients with ER+ breast cancer, particularly those at risk of bone metastasis.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown success in developing animal models for cancer studies, but this specific approach using rat models for ER+ breast cancer is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Baylor College of Medicine
Houston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Li, Yi — Baylor College of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Li, Yi
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
ER+ Breast Cancer Bone Metastasis in a Real Body Environment
This grant aims to understand why estrogen receptor alpha–positive breast cancer often spreads to bone and how the bone environment and immune system affect treatment resistance.
-
Targeting RAGE to fight obesity-related ER+ breast cancer and its drug resistance
A scientist team will explore how obesity-related inflammation involving RAGE and estrone interacts with ER+ breast cancer to drive growth and spread, aiming to find strategies to overcome therapy resistance.
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Understanding estrogen signals in bone to stop ER+ breast cancer spread
This NIH grant aims to uncover how estrogen signals inside bone help ER-positive breast cancer cells grow and spread, with the goal of finding better ways to prevent bone metastasis.
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Progesterone Receptor Signaling and Dormancy in ER+ Breast Cancer
Researchers are studying how hormone signals in ER+/PR+ breast cancer influence cancer cell dormancy and later recurrence.
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Heavy Metals and Breast Cancer Treatment Resistance
This project explores how exposure to heavy metals might make ER+ breast cancer harder to treat and how we might overcome this challenge.
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Turning ER-positive breast cancer into a viral target for immune attack
This project aims to wake up viral-like bits inside ER-positive breast cancer cells so the immune system can spot and attack them.
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.