Creating new small-molecule treatments for triple-negative breast cancer
Official title: Development of Heterobivalent Small-Molecule Therapeutics for the Treatment of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
Funded at Weatherwax Biotechnologies Corporation · NIH-11031993 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on new medicines to help fight triple-negative breast cancer, which is a tough type of breast cancer that doesn't respond well to standard treatments, and aims to improve survival and quality of life for patients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 1 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Weatherwax Biotechnologies Corporation NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project start | February 9, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $103,714 |
| NIH project number | 5R43CA287494-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11031993 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer, particularly those with advanced stages of the disease.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with non-triple-negative breast cancer or those whose cancer has not progressed to an advanced stage may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing innovative small-molecule therapeutics specifically designed to target triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), a particularly aggressive form of breast cancer that lacks effective hormone and antibody therapies. The approach aims to restore the tumor suppressor functions of mutated p53 proteins, which are prevalent in TNBC cases, thereby improving treatment outcomes. By utilizing advanced drug design techniques, the researchers hope to create compounds that can effectively combat this challenging cancer type. Patients may benefit from new treatment options that could significantly improve survival rates and quality of life.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective treatments for triple-negative breast cancer, potentially improving survival rates and quality of life for patients.
How similar studies have gone: While the approach of targeting p53 mutations in cancer therapy is promising, it is still considered a novel and untested strategy in the context of triple-negative breast cancer.
Where this research is happening
-
Weatherwax Biotechnologies Corporation
San Francisco, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Cognetta, Armand — Weatherwax Biotechnologies Corporation
- Study coordinator: Cognetta, Armand
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Genomic study to understand how genetics and epigenetics shape triple-negative breast cancer in African ancestry
This study looks at how inherited genes and gene activity affect triple-negative breast cancer in people of African ancestry to better understand why outcomes can be worse.
-
Co-Targeting IL-6 and CDK4/6 to Prevent TNBC in Women Veterans
A study aims to block two cancer-promoting pathways (IL-6 and CDK4/6) to prevent or reduce progression of triple-negative breast cancer in women veterans.
-
Linking heavy metal exposure to a tougher breast cancer type (TNBC)
Aimed at understanding how heavy metals like cadmium might trigger a dangerous breast cancer type (TNBC) in people, especially those with BRCA1 risk, to identify possible future treatment strategies.
-
Dormancy in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer: How Liver and Skin Metastases Go Quiet or Reactivate
Researchers will study how dormant cancer cells in liver and skin metastases of triple-negative breast cancer become quiescent or wake up, using organ-on-chip models and single-cell analysis to map chromatin states.
-
Rac-enhanced CAR-Macrophages against TNBC
A new cell therapy approach uses engineered macrophages with a CAR and Rac2 activation to target and kill triple-negative breast cancer cells expressing CSPG4.
-
A new peptide therapy to help treat metastatic triple-negative breast cancer
A new peptide therapy called PEG-FUD is being tested to help treat metastatic triple-negative breast cancer by normalizing the tumor environment to improve treatment delivery.
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.