Finding ways to overcome drug resistance in HER2-positive breast cancer
Official title: Overcoming Drug Resistance in HER2-positive Breast Cancer
Funded at Virginia Commonwealth University · NIH-10911307 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at a new treatment called PEPDG278D that might help people with HER2-positive breast cancer who haven't had success with other therapies, by targeting and breaking down the cancer's growth signals.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Virginia Commonwealth University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Richmond, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2020 |
| Project end | June 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $443,163 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA244601-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-10911307 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with HER2-positive breast cancer, particularly those who have experienced treatment resistance.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with breast cancer that does not overexpress HER2 or those who have not received prior HER2-targeted therapies may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on addressing the challenge of drug resistance in HER2-positive breast cancer, which affects about 20% of breast cancer patients. The team is investigating a novel recombinant human protein called PEPDG278D, which targets and disrupts the signaling of HER2 and EGFR in cancer cells. By promoting the degradation of these receptors, PEPDG278D aims to inhibit the growth of resistant cancer cells both in laboratory settings and in animal models. The study seeks to understand how this protein works and its potential as a new treatment option for patients who have not responded to existing therapies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a new treatment option for patients with HER2-positive breast cancer who have developed resistance to current therapies.
How similar studies have gone: While the approach of using PEPDG278D is novel, previous research has shown promise in targeting HER2 and EGFR pathways to overcome drug resistance in cancer.
Where this research is happening
-
Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zhang, Yuesheng — Virginia Commonwealth University
- Study coordinator: Zhang, Yuesheng
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Enhancing HER2-targeted therapy for resistant breast cancer
This grant explores new ways to overcome resistance to HER2-targeted therapy in people with HER2-positive breast cancer.
-
Prolactin signaling and brain metastasis in HER2-positive breast cancer
Researchers are studying how prolactin signals help HER2-positive breast cancer cells grow in the brain, with the goal of finding new ideas to prevent brain metastases.
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XoLacta adjuvant therapy to reduce radiation side effects during HER2-positive breast cancer treatment
A new milk-derived therapy called XoLacta aims to lessen radiation-related side effects for people undergoing treatment for HER2-positive breast cancer.
-
Ig repertoire in tumor-infiltrating B cells in metastatic HER2-positive breast cancer (mouse model)
Scientists will study how antibodies from immune cells inside HER2-positive breast tumors behave in a mouse model to understand potential new ways to fight the cancer.
-
Autophagy and vesicle trafficking linked to HER2+ breast cancer progression
A cancer research project aims to understand how cell recycling processes and vesicle movement affect HER2-positive breast cancer, with potential implications for metastasis and resistance to therapy.
-
XoLacta to reduce radiation side effects in HER2-positive breast cancer
XoLacta, a milk-derived therapy given during radiation, aims to help people with HER2-positive breast cancer heal better and have fewer side effects.
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.