How IL-1α helps breast cancer hide from the immune system
Release of interleukin-1a as a mediator of immune evasion in cancer
The team tests whether stopping IL-1α release can help breast cancer treatments work better for people with breast tumors.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Ctr & Res Inst NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Tampa, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11245706 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You will hear about work that looks at how different ways cancer cells die cause the release of IL‑1α and other inflammatory signals. Researchers use breast cancer cells and animal tumor models that mimic treatment with drugs like paclitaxel to see how these signals change immune cell behavior in tumors. They measure immune cells and inflammatory molecules in the tumor environment and trace how IL‑1α attracts immune-suppressive cells. They will also test whether blocking IL‑1α improves responses when combined with standard therapies.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with breast cancer, especially those receiving chemotherapy such as paclitaxel or whose tumors show inflammatory signs, would be the most likely candidates for related clinical follow-up or trials.
Not a fit: Patients whose tumors do not rely on IL‑1α-driven immune suppression or who have other cancer types may not benefit from IL‑1α-targeted approaches.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, blocking IL‑1α could make chemotherapy and immunotherapy more effective, slowing tumor growth and improving outcomes for people with breast cancer.
How similar studies have performed: Blocking IL‑1 signaling has helped in inflammatory diseases and shows some promise in oncology, but specifically targeting IL‑1α release in breast cancer is a newer approach with limited prior clinical data.
Where this research is happening
Tampa, United States
- H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Ctr & Res Inst — Tampa, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ruffell, Brian — H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Ctr & Res Inst
- Study coordinator: Ruffell, Brian
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.