Enhancing radiation therapy for breast cancer by targeting a specific protein
Official title: Targeting the BCL2 immune checkpoint to enhance the immunostimulatory effects of radiation in breast cancer
Funded at Research Inst of Fox Chase Can Ctr · NIH-11238168 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at whether blocking a protein called BCL2 can make radiation therapy work better for people with hormone receptor-positive breast cancer by helping the immune system fight the cancer more effectively.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Research Inst of Fox Chase Can Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $614,367 |
| NIH project number | 7R01CA271915-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11238168 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with hormone receptor-positive breast cancer who are undergoing or considering radiation therapy.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with other types of breast cancer or those who have already received extensive treatment may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how targeting the BCL2 protein can improve the effectiveness of radiation therapy in treating hormone receptor-positive breast cancer. The study aims to understand the role of BCL2 in helping cancer cells resist treatment and how it affects the immune response in both untreated and irradiated breast cancer. By using advanced models that replicate human breast cancer characteristics, the research will explore whether inhibiting BCL2 can enhance the immune response to radiation therapy, potentially leading to better treatment outcomes for patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective radiation therapies for patients with hormone receptor-positive breast cancer, improving survival rates and quality of life.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promising results in targeting immune checkpoints in cancer therapy, suggesting that this approach could be effective, though the specific targeting of BCL2 in this context is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Research Inst of Fox Chase Can Ctr
Philadelphia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Galluzzi, Lorenzo — Research Inst of Fox Chase Can Ctr
- Study coordinator: Galluzzi, Lorenzo
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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.