DNMT-blocking drugs plus chemoimmunotherapy for triple-negative breast cancer
Preclinical and clinical characterization of DNMT inhibitors +/- standard chemoimmunotherapy in TNBC
This project explores whether drugs that block DNA methyltransferases, alone or combined with chemotherapy and immunotherapy, help people whose triple-negative breast cancer shows high DNMT3A.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Mayo Clinic Rochester NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Rochester, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11238516 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would be part of work that starts in the lab and moves into patients to see how DNMT-blocking drugs work against triple-negative breast cancer that makes DNMT3A. Researchers will use a tumor test (an IHC assay) to identify DNMT3A-positive tumors, treat cancers with DNMT inhibitors alone or together with taxane chemotherapy and immune drugs, and collect tumor tissue and blood to study changes. The team will track biomarkers that might predict who benefits and measure pharmacodynamic signals to confirm the drugs hit their intended targets. Early lab data are promising, but clinical testing will determine whether these combinations help patients and which patients are most likely to respond.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are people with triple-negative breast cancer whose tumors test positive for DNMT3A by the study's IHC assay and who are eligible for systemic chemoimmunotherapy.
Not a fit: Patients with hormone receptor–positive breast cancer, TNBC tumors lacking DNMT3A expression, or those who cannot receive chemotherapy or immunotherapy are less likely to benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help personalize treatment by identifying DNMT3A-positive patients who may benefit from DNMT inhibitors combined with chemoimmunotherapy, potentially improving outcomes.
How similar studies have performed: DNMT inhibitors showed limited success in prior breast cancer trials (mainly in ER-positive disease), and combining them with taxanes and immunotherapy is a newer strategy supported mostly by preclinical data rather than established clinical results.
Where this research is happening
Rochester, United States
- Mayo Clinic Rochester — Rochester, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wang, Liewei — Mayo Clinic Rochester
- Study coordinator: Wang, Liewei
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 below.