How DNA damage may trigger stem-like changes that start BRCA1 breast cancer
DNA damage-related stemness program during BRCA1 breast cancer initiation
Seeing whether DNA damage causes normal breast cells to become more stem-like and begin BRCA1-linked breast cancer in people with BRCA1 mutations.
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-11241954 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you carry a BRCA1 mutation, this project is trying to understand the very first changes that make normal breast cells turn into aggressive cancer. The team uses a novel mouse model that mimics BRCA1 loss in specific breast cells and compares those results with experiments in human breast cell lines and tissue. They focus on a type of DNA damage and faulty repair that may push cells to adopt stem-like and basal features, and they use single-cell tools to track these epigenetic changes over time. Learning these early steps could point to ways to prevent or intercept cancer before it develops.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would be people with pathogenic BRCA1 mutations who can donate breast tissue or cells (for example during biopsy or prophylactic surgery) or who can participate at the Boston research site.
Not a fit: People without BRCA1 mutations or those with advanced, already-established breast cancer are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this preclinical, early-stage research in the short term.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could identify targets or biomarkers to prevent or intercept BRCA1-related breast cancer at its earliest stage, lowering the chance of aggressive disease.
How similar studies have performed: Parts of this idea are supported by prior laboratory and mouse studies, but translating these mechanistic findings into human prevention strategies is still new and early.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Brigham and Women's Hospital — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Li, Zhe — Brigham and Women's Hospital
- Study coordinator: Li, Zhe
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.