Develop a new therapy to treat triple negative breast cancer using immunotherapy and chemotherapy.
Official title: Develop a novel therapy with immuno- and onco-targeting dual efficacies to treat the triple negative breast cancer
Funded at Northwestern University at Chicago · NIH-11045945 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new treatment for triple negative breast cancer that combines immunotherapy and chemotherapy to better fight the cancer while causing fewer side effects, aiming to help patients by targeting the cancer's root causes and boosting their immune response.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Northwestern University at Chicago NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project start | January 1, 2025 |
| Project end | December 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $661,072 |
| NIH project number | 1R01CA288387-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11045945 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer who have not responded well to existing therapies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with non-breast cancers or those who have already received extensive treatment may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to create a novel treatment for triple negative breast cancer by combining immunotherapy with chemotherapy to enhance effectiveness and reduce side effects. The approach focuses on targeting cancer stem cells, which are responsible for cancer initiation and recurrence. By suppressing a specific oncogene, the therapy seeks to improve immune response against tumors while minimizing damage to healthy tissues. Patients may benefit from a more effective treatment option that addresses both tumor growth and immune system activation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a more effective treatment for triple negative breast cancer, potentially improving survival rates and quality of life for patients.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in combining immunotherapy with targeted therapies, indicating potential for success in this novel approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Northwestern University at Chicago
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Fang, Deyu — Northwestern University at Chicago
- Study coordinator: Fang, Deyu
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.