Enzyme‑activated peptides to target drug‑resistant triple‑negative breast cancer
Official title: New approach based on enzyme stimulating of peptides for targeting drug resistance breast cancers
Funded at University of North Texas · NIH-11373950 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project uses enzyme‑activated peptides that form tiny fibers inside triple‑negative and drug‑resistant breast cancer cells to help kill them.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of North Texas NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Denton, United States) |
| Project start | August 17, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $62,502 |
| NIH project number | 3R16GM150848-03S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11373950 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with triple‑negative or drug‑resistant breast cancer whose tumors do not respond to hormonal or HER2‑directed therapies would be the most relevant patients for future trials or sample donations.
✕Less likely to help
People with hormone receptor‑positive or HER2‑positive breast cancers that respond to standard treatments, or anyone seeking an immediate approved therapy, are unlikely to benefit directly from this early laboratory work.
What this research studies
Researchers design short peptides that are changed by an enzyme called EYA, which is active in some triple‑negative breast cancer cells; when EYA removes a phosphate group, the peptides self‑assemble into nanofibers inside the cancer cells. Those nanofibers are intended to trigger controlled cell death in tumors that do not respond to hormone or HER2‑targeted therapies. Early lab work has tested these peptides in cell cultures, including 3D models that better mimic tumors, and showed promising conversion and self‑assembly. The team will refine peptide sequences and measure how selectively the approach kills cancer cells versus normal cells to guide future development.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could lead to a new targeted therapy for triple‑negative or drug‑resistant breast cancers that currently lack effective molecular treatments.
How similar studies have gone: Related enzyme‑triggered, self‑assembling peptide approaches have shown promise in laboratory models but remain early‑stage and have not yet produced approved treatments.
Where this research is happening
-
University of North Texas
Denton, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Habibi, Neda — University of North Texas
- Study coordinator: Habibi, Neda
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.