How ESR1‑mutant (estrogen‑receptor) breast cancers spread
Replication Stress and DNA Damage Response Drives ESR1 Mutant Metastasis
Looking at whether drugs that fix DNA damage responses or slow cell division can keep estrogen‑receptor‑mutant breast cancer from spreading.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Baylor College of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11248396 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will use tumor samples from patients to grow lab organoids and transplantable tumor models to mimic metastatic ER‑positive breast cancer with ESR1 mutations. In the lab they will test drugs that target the DNA damage response (like PARP and ATR/Chk1 modulators) and drugs that block cell‑cycle proteins (AURKA/B and CDK1/2) to see if these treatments stop cancer cells from surviving and spreading. Experiments include ex vivo organoid tests and in vivo models using patient‑derived xenografts to study metastasis, estrogen responses, EMT, and cancer stem‑like cells. The goal is to find drug combinations that create vulnerabilities in ESR1‑mutant tumors that could be moved toward patient trials.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with ER‑positive metastatic breast cancer whose tumors carry ESR1 mutations, or patients willing to donate tumor tissue for research, are the most relevant candidates.
Not a fit: Patients without ESR1 mutations or with non‑ER breast cancer subtypes are unlikely to benefit directly from this specific research focus.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could identify new treatment strategies to prevent or slow metastasis in patients with ESR1‑mutant, ER‑positive breast cancer.
How similar studies have performed: Some clinical and lab work shows PARP and cell‑cycle drugs can help cancers with DNA‑repair weaknesses, but applying these strategies specifically to ESR1‑mutant breast cancer is mainly preclinical and still emerging.
Where this research is happening
Houston, United States
- Baylor College of Medicine — Houston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Fuqua, Suzanne Aw — Baylor College of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Fuqua, Suzanne Aw
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.