Gold-based treatments for triple-negative breast cancer
Gold-derived therapeutic compounds for disease application
Developing gold-based drugs to help people with triple-negative breast cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Kentucky NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Lexington, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11158661 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
The team is creating libraries of gold-containing compounds designed to kill triple-negative breast cancer cells while sparing normal cells. In the lab they screen these gold(I) and gold(III) compounds for potency and study how they disrupt mitochondria and trigger cancer cell death. Promising candidates have been tested for safety and anti-tumor activity in mice, including a model that mimics metastatic TNBC. The researchers aim to chemically refine the best compounds to improve effectiveness and tolerability before any future human testing.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer, especially those with metastatic or treatment-resistant disease, would be the likely candidates for future trials.
Not a fit: Patients with other types of breast cancer or those seeking immediate approved therapies are unlikely to benefit directly from this early-stage research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, these drugs could offer a new targeted treatment option for people with aggressive triple-negative breast cancer.
How similar studies have performed: Other metal-based anticancer agents have shown promise in lab and animal studies and a few have reached clinical testing, but gold compounds for TNBC remain largely experimental.
Where this research is happening
Lexington, United States
- University of Kentucky — Lexington, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Awuah, Samuel Gorman — University of Kentucky
- Study coordinator: Awuah, Samuel Gorman
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 below.