How HER3 and PHF8 proteins drive aggressive triple-negative breast cancer
HER3-PHF8 signaling axis in triple-negative breast cancer progression
This project looks at whether the HER3-PHF8 pathway helps tumors grow and spread in people with triple-negative breast cancer who have high HER3 levels.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Lsu Health Sciences Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New Orleans, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11233146 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will examine tumor samples and public patient datasets to see how HER3 and PHF8 levels relate to outcomes in triple-negative breast cancer. They will study TNBC cell lines and patient-derived tumor models in the lab to learn how HER3 controls PHF8 and whether blocking that interaction slows tumor growth. Bioinformatics analysis of TCGA and related data will identify which TNBC subtypes (for example BL1, BL2, or LAR) most often show this pattern. The team aims to find biomarkers and molecular targets that could point to new treatment approaches for patients with HER3-high TNBC.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with triple-negative breast cancer whose tumors show high HER3 (erbB3) expression, especially those in Basal-like 1, Basal-like 2, or Luminal-Androgen Receptor subtypes, would be most relevant.
Not a fit: Patients whose tumors are hormone-receptor positive or HER2-positive, or TNBC tumors that lack HER3 expression, are unlikely to benefit from therapies targeting this pathway.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new targeted therapies or biomarkers to reduce recurrence and drug resistance in HER3-high triple-negative breast cancer.
How similar studies have performed: While HER3-directed approaches and antibody–drug conjugates have shown promise in breast cancer, targeting the HER3–PHF8 interaction is a newer idea that has not yet been proven in patients.
Where this research is happening
New Orleans, United States
- Lsu Health Sciences Center — New Orleans, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Liu, Bolin — Lsu Health Sciences Center
- Study coordinator: Liu, Bolin
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.