Dual-action immune-boosting and tumor-targeting therapy for triple-negative breast cancer
Develop a novel therapy with immuno- and onco-targeting dual efficacies to treat the triple negative breast cancer
A new treatment that both strengthens the immune response and directly attacks tumor cells for people with triple-negative breast cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Northwestern University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11251196 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you have triple-negative breast cancer, researchers are developing a therapy that both boosts your immune system and directly targets tumor cells. They plan to reduce activity of a cancer-related protein called USP22 and use laboratory and preclinical tumor models to see whether this lowers cancer stem cells, shrinks tumors, and limits spread. The team will look at effects on immune cells, tumor growth, metastasis, and treatment-related toxicities in those models. Positive results would support moving the approach into early human trials.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with triple-negative breast cancer, particularly those with advanced or metastatic disease, would be the likely candidates for future trials based on this work.
Not a fit: Patients with breast cancers that are not triple-negative or those with active severe autoimmune disease that rules out immune-based treatments may not benefit from this approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could lead to a therapy that improves tumor control, lowers recurrence and metastasis, and combines immune activation with direct anti-tumor effects for triple-negative breast cancer patients.
How similar studies have performed: Some combination immunotherapy approaches have helped subsets of patients, but targeting USP22 as a combined immune-and-oncologic strategy is largely preclinical and novel.
Where this research is happening
Chicago, United States
- Northwestern University — Chicago, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Fang, Deyu — Northwestern University
- Study coordinator: Fang, Deyu
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.