How blocking UFMylation could boost immune attack on breast cancer
Official title: Defining how UFMylation pathway inhibition enhances anti-tumor immunity
Funded at University of Virginia · NIH-11449400 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study in mice tests whether blocking UFMylation can make breast tumors more visible to the immune system and help immunotherapies work better.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Virginia NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Charlottesville, United States) |
| Project start | August 5, 2026 |
| Project end | July 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $529,456 |
| NIH project number | 1R01CA300807-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11449400 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates would be patients with breast tumors that are not responding to current immunotherapies or who may benefit from combination therapies in future studies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with cancers outside the study focus or those unable to participate in animal-model–based research would not directly benefit.
What this research studies
This project will use mouse models of breast cancer to see if inhibiting UFMylation changes the tumor environment so immune cells can more effectively attack cancer cells. Researchers will perform in vivo CRISPR screens to identify how blocking UFMylation impacts tumor growth and immune cell activity. They will also test a new UBA5 inhibitor to understand how the drug behaves in the body and whether it reduces tumor growth without excessive side effects. Results could guide strategies to convert “cold” tumors into “hot” ones that respond to immunotherapies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new treatments that make breast cancers more responsive to immunotherapy.
How similar studies have gone: Preliminary data suggest that disrupting UFMylation can remodel the tumor environment and increase immune visibility, but this approach is still early-stage.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Virginia
Charlottesville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Martin, Timothy D. — University of Virginia
- Study coordinator: Martin, Timothy D.
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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.