How high blood sugar affects immune cells in breast cancer
Official title: Investigating the impact of hyperglycemia on modulating T cell populations in breast cancer
Funded at University of Alabama at Birmingham · NIH-10912497 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how high blood sugar levels might affect the immune system in people with triple-negative breast cancer, especially how it can weaken important immune cells that help fight tumors and boost cells that calm down the immune response, with the goal of finding new ways to improve treatment for breast cancer patients who also have diabetes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Alabama at Birmingham NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Birmingham, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $42,629 |
| NIH project number | 5F31CA284611-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10912497 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are women diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer who also have a history of diabetes or hyperglycemia.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with non-diabetic breast cancer or those with other types of breast cancer may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the relationship between high blood sugar levels and immune cell behavior in patients with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). It focuses on understanding how hyperglycemia can lead to the exhaustion of CD8+ T cells, which are crucial for fighting tumors, and how it may also enhance the activity of regulatory T cells that suppress immune responses. By exploring the mechanisms involved, the study aims to identify potential therapeutic targets that could improve treatment outcomes for breast cancer patients, particularly those with diabetes. The research employs a combination of laboratory assays and biological models to analyze immune cell populations in the context of breast cancer.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatment strategies for breast cancer patients, especially those with diabetes, by enhancing immune responses against tumors.
How similar studies have gone: While the specific interplay of hyperglycemia and T cell modulation in TNBC is a novel approach, related studies have shown that immune responses can be significantly affected by metabolic conditions.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Birmingham, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Swain, Courtney a — University of Alabama at Birmingham
- Study coordinator: Swain, Courtney a
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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.