Exploring how heavy metal exposure may lead to triple negative breast cancer
Official title: Unraveling the molecular link between heavy metal exposure and triple negative breast cancer
Funded at University of Louisville · NIH-10865838 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how exposure to cadmium, a heavy metal, might play a role in causing triple negative breast cancer, especially in young Black women with certain genetic mutations, to help find out more about the risks and improve treatment options.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Louisville NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Louisville, United States) |
| Project start | August 16, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $124,087 |
| NIH project number | 1K99ES036286-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10865838 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include young Black women with a family history of breast cancer or those living near industrial sites known to be contaminated with heavy metals.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have a history of breast cancer or are not exposed to heavy metals may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the connection between exposure to heavy metals, particularly cadmium, and the development of triple negative breast cancer (TNBC), a type of breast cancer that currently lacks effective targeted therapies. The study focuses on understanding how cadmium affects DNA repair mechanisms in breast cells, especially in individuals with BRCA1 mutations. By examining the biological effects of cadmium exposure, the research aims to identify additional risk factors contributing to the higher incidence of TNBC in young Black women. The approach includes both epidemiological analysis and laboratory experiments to assess the impact of cadmium on breast cancer cell behavior.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new insights into the causes of triple negative breast cancer and potentially inform prevention strategies for at-risk populations.
How similar studies have gone: While the specific link between cadmium exposure and TNBC is still being explored, previous studies have shown that heavy metal exposure can increase cancer risk, suggesting that this research could build on established findings.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Louisville
Louisville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Nail, Alexandra Nichole — University of Louisville
- Study coordinator: Nail, Alexandra Nichole
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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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.
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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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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.
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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.
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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.