Enhanced virus-based immunotherapy for breast cancer that has spread to the brain
Enhanced Viro-Immunotherapy for Breast Cancer Brain Metastasis
This project explores a modified herpes virus treatment designed to help the immune system fight breast cancer that has spread to the brain.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11210788 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you have breast cancer that has spread to your brain, researchers are working to improve a virus-based therapy that both kills tumor cells and stimulates the immune system. They are using a modified herpes simplex virus (oHSV) and studying how the tumor environment—especially neutrophils and a protein called IGF2—blocks the virus and weakens immune response. The team aims to block those resistance pathways, including preventing harmful neutrophil traps, so the virus can spread better and trigger stronger anti-tumor immunity. The work combines laboratory studies and preclinical testing with the goal of enabling future treatments for patients.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with breast cancer that has metastasized to the brain, especially those eligible for experimental therapies at a specialty center, would be the most likely candidates.
Not a fit: Patients who do not have brain metastases from breast cancer or whose tumors do not show the targeted biological features (like IGF2-driven neutrophil activity) are unlikely to benefit from this approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could make virus-based treatments better at shrinking breast cancer brain metastases and improving patient outcomes.
How similar studies have performed: Oncolytic HSV therapies have shown benefit in melanoma and are being explored in some brain tumor settings, but applying them to breast cancer brain metastases is newer and faces unique immune-suppression challenges.
Where this research is happening
Houston, United States
- University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston — Houston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Yoo, Ji Young — University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston
- Study coordinator: Yoo, Ji Young
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.