FOXA1 protein changes in hormone-positive breast cancer
Official title: Posttranslational Regulation of FOXA1 in Breast Cancer
Funded at Comprehensive Cancer Center/ Univ/pr · NIH-11249526 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Looking at whether chemical changes to the FOXA1 protein help estrogen-positive breast cancers stop responding to hormone therapy.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Comprehensive Cancer Center/ Univ/pr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Juan, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2023 |
| Project end | December 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $369,986 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA273444-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11249526 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with estrogen receptor–positive (ER+) breast cancer, particularly those whose tumors have developed resistance to endocrine (hormone) therapies, would be most relevant.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with ER-negative breast cancers or whose care does not involve endocrine resistance are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this work.
What this research studies
I have hormone-positive breast cancer and my tumor no longer responds to endocrine treatment. Researchers are studying a protein called FOXA1 that helps the estrogen receptor attach to DNA and can be redirected by inflammation and chemical tags such as acetylation. They will use laboratory models, patient tumor samples, and genome-wide methods like ATAC-seq to map where FOXA1 binds and what controls its behavior. The team aims to identify molecular switches that could be targeted to prevent or reverse hormone therapy resistance.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could reveal new targets for treatments that prevent or overcome resistance to hormone therapy in ER-positive breast cancer.
How similar studies have gone: Related lab and animal studies targeting transcription factor activity or modifying acetylation have shown promise, but direct targeting of FOXA1 in patients is largely untested.
Where this research is happening
-
Comprehensive Cancer Center/ Univ/pr
San Juan, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Franco, Hector Luis — Comprehensive Cancer Center/ Univ/pr
- Study coordinator: Franco, Hector Luis
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Improving Breast Cancer Guideline Adherence in Nigeria
Aimed at helping doctors in Nigeria follow international guideline-based breast cancer care to improve outcomes for women with breast cancer.
-
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.
-
Translational breast cancer research to improve treatment options
A comprehensive program at Baylor College of Medicine is focusing on breast cancer; researchers will advance targeted therapies and biomarkers to help patients with aggressive or hard-to-treat forms.
-
Cancer Pain Management for Asian American Breast Cancer Survivors with Depressive Symptoms
A technology-based program helps Asian American breast cancer survivors with depressive symptoms manage chronic pain more effectively from home using a web app and mobile tools.
-
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.
-
Gut bacteria and metabolites linked to breast density and cancer risk
A small, patient-friendly study will explore whether gut bacteria and their byproducts are connected to high breast density, which can raise cancer risk and make screening less accurate.
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.