Exploring a new approach to overcome drug resistance in triple negative breast cancer
Official title: Targeting cell fusion as a novel strategy to tackle JQ1 resistance in triple negative breast cancer
Funded at Benedict College · NIH-11081022 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how combining triple negative breast cancer cells with immune cells might help make a treatment called JQ1 work better for patients, and it aims to find new ways to improve care based on individual cancer traits.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Benedict College NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Columbia, United States) |
| Project start | May 1, 2024 |
| Project end | April 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $137,333 |
| NIH project number | 5R16GM153690-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11081022 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer who may be facing challenges with current treatment options.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with non-triple negative breast cancer or those who are not currently undergoing treatment for breast cancer may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how targeting cell fusion between triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) cells and immune cells can help overcome resistance to a specific cancer treatment called JQ1. The study aims to understand the mechanisms behind this resistance, particularly focusing on a protein that facilitates cell fusion. By examining how these fused cells behave, the researchers hope to develop strategies that can enhance the effectiveness of JQ1 in treating TNBC. Patients may be involved in this research to help identify the best therapeutic approaches based on their unique cancer characteristics.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective treatments for patients with triple negative breast cancer, improving their chances of response to therapy.
How similar studies have gone: While the approach of targeting cell fusion in cancer treatment is relatively novel, preliminary studies have shown promising results in understanding drug resistance mechanisms.
Where this research is happening
-
Benedict College
Columbia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ai, Walden — Benedict College
- Study coordinator: Ai, Walden
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Genomic study to understand how genetics and epigenetics shape triple-negative breast cancer in African ancestry
This study looks at how inherited genes and gene activity affect triple-negative breast cancer in people of African ancestry to better understand why outcomes can be worse.
-
Co-Targeting IL-6 and CDK4/6 to Prevent TNBC in Women Veterans
A study aims to block two cancer-promoting pathways (IL-6 and CDK4/6) to prevent or reduce progression of triple-negative breast cancer in women veterans.
-
Linking heavy metal exposure to a tougher breast cancer type (TNBC)
Aimed at understanding how heavy metals like cadmium might trigger a dangerous breast cancer type (TNBC) in people, especially those with BRCA1 risk, to identify possible future treatment strategies.
-
Dormancy in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer: How Liver and Skin Metastases Go Quiet or Reactivate
Researchers will study how dormant cancer cells in liver and skin metastases of triple-negative breast cancer become quiescent or wake up, using organ-on-chip models and single-cell analysis to map chromatin states.
-
Rac-enhanced CAR-Macrophages against TNBC
A new cell therapy approach uses engineered macrophages with a CAR and Rac2 activation to target and kill triple-negative breast cancer cells expressing CSPG4.
-
A new peptide therapy to help treat metastatic triple-negative breast cancer
A new peptide therapy called PEG-FUD is being tested to help treat metastatic triple-negative breast cancer by normalizing the tumor environment to improve treatment delivery.
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.