Developing a new treatment to prevent recurrence of aggressive breast cancer after surgery
Official title: Engineering ferritin degrader-encapsulated platelets for post-surgical TNBC treatment
Funded at University of Wisconsin-Madison · NIH-11160456 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at a new way to help people with triple-negative breast cancer by using specially designed platelets to deliver treatments that could stop the cancer from coming back after surgery, making existing therapies work better and reducing the chance of the cancer becoming resistant to treatment.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Wisconsin-Madison NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Madison, United States) |
| Project start | August 2, 2024 |
| Project end | April 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $542,721 |
| NIH project number | 5R01EB035992-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11160456 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 are undergoing surgical treatment.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with non-triple-negative breast cancer or those who are not undergoing surgery may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), a type of breast cancer known for its aggressive nature and limited treatment options. The project aims to engineer platelets that can deliver ferritin degraders, which may help to prevent the recurrence of TNBC after surgical treatment. By targeting the ferritin levels in TNBC cells, the approach seeks to enhance the effectiveness of existing therapies and reduce the chances of drug resistance. Patients may benefit from a novel treatment that could work alongside traditional chemotherapy and immunotherapy.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a new therapeutic option that significantly reduces the risk of TNBC recurrence after surgery.
How similar studies have gone: While the approach of targeting ferritin in TNBC is innovative, similar strategies in cancer treatment have shown promise in other contexts, suggesting potential for success.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Madison, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hu, Quanyin — University of Wisconsin-Madison
- Study coordinator: Hu, Quanyin
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.