How African ancestry shapes the immune response in triple-negative breast cancer
The DARC side of Breast Cancer Disparities - African Ancestry and Cancer- Related Immune Response
Researchers are comparing tumor immune signals in women with West African ancestry who have triple-negative breast cancer to find ancestry-linked patterns.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Morehouse School of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Atlanta, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11398718 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you join, researchers will work with tumor tissue and blood from women with West African ancestry, including African, African American, and Afro-Caribbean participants with triple-negative breast cancer. They will use genetic tests, gene expression profiling, and protein-level (proteomic) analyses to look for immune-related differences tied to ancestry. The team will compare tumor immune cell patterns and inflammatory signals across populations to define distinct tumor-immune microenvironments. The work combines samples from African regions and admixed communities to find signals that could help explain disparities in outcomes.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Women with triple-negative breast cancer who have West African genetic ancestry (including African, African American, and Afro-Caribbean backgrounds) and who can provide tumor samples and medical information.
Not a fit: People without triple-negative breast cancer, without West African ancestry, or those unable to provide tissue or clinical data are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could reveal ancestry-linked immune markers that guide better tailored treatments and improve outcomes for women with triple-negative breast cancer.
How similar studies have performed: Prior research has shown higher TNBC risk and some immune differences in women with West African ancestry, but directly linking ancestry-specific gene expression with proteomic tumor immune profiles is a novel approach.
Where this research is happening
Atlanta, United States
- Morehouse School of Medicine — Atlanta, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Davis, Melissa B — Morehouse School of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Davis, Melissa B
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.