How early chemical exposures may change breast cells and help explain racial differences in aggressive breast cancer
Developmental Exposures, Stem Cell Reprogramming, and Breast Cancer Disparities
This project looks at whether chemicals people are exposed to during development change breast cells in ways that help explain why African American women get more aggressive breast cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Michigan at Ann Arbor NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Ann Arbor, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11221912 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a patient point of view, the team measures chemicals found in women’s bodies and uses lab models to see how those chemicals alter breast cell behavior. They compare chemical biomarker levels between African American and White women and apply high-throughput gene expression profiling to find molecular changes linked to aggressive tumors. Lab experiments focus on dose levels that match real human exposures and test whether chemicals push cells toward a stem cell–like state seen in aggressive cancers. The goal is to find biological pathways that could explain racial gaps in outcomes and suggest targets for prevention or treatment.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: The most relevant participants would be women—especially African American women—or people who can provide biospecimens or exposure data connected to breast cancer and chemical biomarker measurements.
Not a fit: Men, people with cancers unrelated to breast tissue, or those without relevant exposure histories are unlikely to gain direct benefit from this specific project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could suggest ways to prevent aggressive breast cancers in high-risk groups and reveal new molecular targets for therapy.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies and the investigators' preliminary data show racial differences in chemical biomarkers and that some chemicals can alter breast cell biology, but linking these exposures directly to racial disparities in aggressive breast cancer is still emerging.
Where this research is happening
Ann Arbor, United States
- University of Michigan at Ann Arbor — Ann Arbor, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Colacino, Justin Adam — University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
- Study coordinator: Colacino, Justin Adam
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.