How GABA-A receptors may drive triple-negative breast cancer
Mechanistic studies on the role of GABA type A ion channel (GABAA) receptors in triple negative breast cancer
This project looks into whether GABA-A receptor signals on tumor cells help triple-negative breast cancer grow, move, and resist treatment.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R15 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Saint Joseph's University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11125535 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will use human triple-negative breast cancer cell lines and laboratory models to measure GABA-A receptor levels and the chloride ion flow those channels control. They will reduce or block specific GABA-A subunits and watch how that changes cell division, movement, and the structure of the cell’s actin cytoskeleton. Experiments will include in vitro migration and cell-cycle assays and other molecular tests to link receptor activity to cancer cell behavior. The long-term aim is to find membrane targets that could be reached by drugs or antibodies.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with triple-negative breast cancer who want to follow progress toward new targeted treatments or who might consider donating tumor tissue for research could be interested in this work.
Not a fit: Patients with non–triple-negative breast cancers or those looking for immediate treatment options should not expect direct clinical benefit from this basic laboratory project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could identify a new membrane target that leads to drug or antibody therapies tailored for triple-negative breast cancer.
How similar studies have performed: Prior preclinical work has linked GABA signaling to growth and migration in some cancers and showed that blocking GABA-A can slow cell movement, but the specific role of GABA-A in triple-negative breast cancer remains relatively understudied.
Where this research is happening
Philadelphia, United States
- Saint Joseph's University — Philadelphia, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mercier, Isabelle — Saint Joseph's University
- Study coordinator: Mercier, Isabelle
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.