Double-negative T cells and breast cancer immunity
Official title: Mechanism of double-negative T cells in antitumor immunity to breast cancer
Funded at University of Louisville · NIH-11408721 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Aims to understand how a special type of immune cells called double-negative T cells could help fight breast cancer, especially tough cases like triple-negative breast cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Louisville NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Louisville, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $361,366 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA276284-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11408721 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with advanced breast cancer, especially those with triple-negative disease or chemoresistant tumors, may benefit from future therapies inspired by these findings.
✕Less likely to help
Direct benefits are unlikely for individuals not eligible for or not interested in participating in future related trials; early-stage findings may not translate into immediate treatments.
What this research studies
This project studies how certain immune cells called double-negative T cells may attack breast cancer cells and prevent tumor growth. Researchers use mouse models to trace how these cells develop and how they fight tumors, with a focus on tumors that are resistant to standard therapies. The team will look at how these immune cells interact with other parts of the immune system and the tumor environment to improve antitumor responses. The goal is to uncover new mechanisms that could guide the development of better immunotherapies for advanced breast cancer. Results could point toward strategies to boost patient responses and reduce metastasis.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new immunotherapy approaches that help patients with difficult-to-treat breast cancers.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown that special T cell subsets can influence tumor control in animal models, but translating these findings to humans remains under investigation.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Louisville
Louisville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zhang, Hui — University of Louisville
- Study coordinator: Zhang, Hui
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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.