How chemotherapy can change breast cancer spread to the liver and the immune system
Understanding the impact of chemotherapy on breast cancer metastasis and immune function in the liver
This research will learn whether standard chemotherapy for triple-negative breast cancer changes immune cells in the liver and makes liver metastasis more likely.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Brigham and Women's Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11169000 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You may be asked to give blood or tissue samples that researchers will study for immune and tumor changes after chemotherapy. The team will compare those human samples with mouse models treated with the same anthracycline–cyclophosphamide plus taxane (AC‑T) chemotherapy to see how the liver environment is altered. They will measure signs of immune suppression and whether cancer cells become better able to grow in the liver after chemo. Findings from mice and patients will be connected to suggest ways to reduce liver metastasis risk.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are people with triple-negative breast cancer, especially those receiving or recently treated with AC‑T chemotherapy or those with liver metastases who can donate blood or tissue samples.
Not a fit: People with other types of cancer or who are not treated with AC‑T chemotherapy may not directly benefit from this specific research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to ways to protect immune cells or adjust treatments to lower the chance of liver metastasis and improve outcomes for people with triple-negative breast cancer.
How similar studies have performed: Prior studies show chemotherapy can reduce anti-tumor immune cells and that liver metastases often respond poorly to immunotherapy, but directly linking AC‑T chemotherapy to increased liver metastasis is a newer area with limited direct evidence.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Brigham and Women's Hospital — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mcallister, Sandra S — Brigham and Women's Hospital
- Study coordinator: Mcallister, Sandra S
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.