How gene changes in breast cancer shape resistance to therapy
Official title: Investigating the evolutionary and clinical implications of tumor suppressor allele dosage
Funded at Sloan-Kettering Inst Can Research · NIH-11452531 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This research looks at how specific gene changes in breast cancer may cause tumors to become resistant to common therapies, with the goal of predicting and preventing resistance.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Sloan-Kettering Inst Can Research NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $310,484 |
| NIH project number | 1K08CA308840-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11452531 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Individuals with breast cancer, particularly those with or at risk for RB1 heterozygous loss and germline BRCA2 alterations, who are undergoing CDK4/6 inhibitor and endocrine therapy, may be most relevant.
✕Less likely to help
Patients whose tumors do not show the specified genetic alterations may have limited direct benefit from these findings.
What this research studies
In this project, doctors will study breast cancer samples to see how losing one copy of certain genes before treatment might steer tumors toward resistance to CDK4/6 inhibitors and endocrine therapy. They will use a multi-omic approach, including circulating tumor DNA and single-cell sequencing, to map co-occurring genetic changes that contribute to resistance. Machine learning will help refine predictions of when resistance starts so clinicians can adapt treatment earlier. The work could reveal new biomarkers and strategies to delay or overcome treatment resistance in breast cancer.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients with breast cancer could receive more personalized treatments that delay resistance and improve outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Preliminary data and related multi-omics approaches have shown promise in predicting resistance patterns, but this exact co-alteration framework is being tested in this study.
Where this research is happening
-
Sloan-Kettering Inst Can Research
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Safonov, Anton — Sloan-Kettering Inst Can Research
- Study coordinator: Safonov, Anton
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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.