How arginine methylation fuels aggressive breast cancer
Protein arginine methylation in breast cancer
Researchers are exploring whether blocking a protein called CARM1 can slow growth and spread in people with aggressive triple‑negative breast cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Wisconsin-Madison NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Madison, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11259463 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project looks at how CARM1, an enzyme that chemically modifies other proteins, helps triple‑negative breast cancer grow and spread. Scientists will examine tumor samples and use cell lines and mouse models to see how CARM1 methylates a protein called MAP2K4 and how that turns on cancer signals. They will test drugs that block CARM1 alone and together with PI3K inhibitors to see if the combination more strongly stops tumor cells from growing and moving. The team will also measure immune changes in tumors, such as CD8+ T cell infiltration, to inform future treatment approaches and clinical trials.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with triple‑negative breast cancer, especially those whose tumors show high CARM1 activity or MAP2K4 signaling, would be the most likely candidates for related therapies or trials.
Not a fit: Patients with hormone‑receptor–positive or HER2‑positive breast cancers, or whose tumors do not rely on CARM1/MAP2K4 signaling, are less likely to benefit from these specific findings.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new drug combinations that slow tumor growth and reduce metastasis for people with triple‑negative breast cancer.
How similar studies have performed: Preclinical results referenced in the grant showed that removing or inhibiting CARM1 reduced tumor growth and invasion and that CARM1 inhibitors can act together with PI3K inhibitors in laboratory and mouse models, though combinations with PD‑1 immunotherapy were not clearly synergistic.
Where this research is happening
Madison, United States
- University of Wisconsin-Madison — Madison, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Xu, Wei — University of Wisconsin-Madison
- Study coordinator: Xu, Wei
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.