Exploring how MHC-II and Lag3 in the brain could stop breast cancer from spreading there
Official title: Exploring the Function of MHC-II/Lag3 Axis in Brain Metastasis to Develop Novel Therapeutic Strategies
Funded at University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr · NIH-11361152 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study is looking at how the immune signals in the brain interact with breast cancer cells that have spread to the brain, to find new ways to treat this serious problem.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project start | July 5, 2022 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $526,134 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA266099-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11361152 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with breast cancer at risk for or with brain metastases who could benefit from therapies targeting brain immune interactions.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without brain metastases or those unlikely to respond to immune-targeted brain therapies may see no direct benefit.
What this research studies
This project focuses on brain metastases from breast cancer and how the brain's immune cells, especially microglia, interact with cancer cells. Researchers will examine the MHC-II and Lag3 pathway to see how it affects early tumor growth in the brain and whether epigenetic changes influence MHC-II expression. The work uses brain metastasis models in mice and human breast cancer samples to understand these interactions and identify potential therapeutic targets. Findings could guide the development of therapies that modify the brain microenvironment to better control or prevent brain metastases.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the research could lead to new brain-specific treatments that slow or prevent breast cancer spread to the brain.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown the brain immune environment can influence metastasis, with ongoing work suggesting feasibility of targeting these pathways.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr
Houston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Yu, Dihua — University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr
- Study coordinator: Yu, Dihua
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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.