Exploring a new treatment for triple-negative breast cancer using secretions from mammary cells.
Official title: The mammary cell secretome as a novel biologic for triple-negative breast cancer
Funded at Cornell University · NIH-10995271 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is exploring how special substances from the milk-producing cells of cancer-resistant animals might help treat triple-negative breast cancer by killing cancer cells without harming healthy ones, with the goal of creating safer treatment options for patients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Cornell University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Ithaca, United States) |
| Project start | December 6, 2023 |
| Project end | November 30, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $198,173 |
| NIH project number | 5R21CA285521-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10995271 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 are seeking alternative treatment options.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with other types of breast cancer or those who are not diagnosed with breast cancer may not receive any benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the potential of bioactive factors secreted by mammary cells from cancer-resistant mammals to treat triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). The approach involves studying how these secretions can induce cell death in TNBC cells while sparing normal breast cells, as well as testing their effects in mouse models. By characterizing these secretions further, the research aims to develop non-toxic therapies that could prevent or treat aggressive forms of breast cancer. Patients may benefit from innovative treatment options that are less harmful than current therapies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new, effective, and non-toxic therapies for patients with triple-negative breast cancer.
How similar studies have gone: While the specific approach of using mammary cell secretions is novel, similar strategies targeting cancer suppression through biological factors have shown promise in other studies.
Where this research is happening
-
Cornell University
Ithaca, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Harman, Rebecca M — Cornell University
- Study coordinator: Harman, Rebecca M
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
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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.
-
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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.