How immune responses affect triple-negative breast cancer spreading to the brain
Official title: Do Tumor-Immune Interactions Prime Systemic Tolerance of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Brain Metastases?
Funded at University of California at Davis · NIH-10746898 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This work looks at how interactions between tumors and the immune system may let triple-negative breast cancer spread to the brain, with attention to differences seen in women of African ancestry.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California at Davis NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Davis, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2021 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $249,000 |
| NIH project number | 4R00CA256522-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10746898 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with triple-negative breast cancer—especially those who have or are at high risk for brain metastases and who are willing to provide tumor or blood samples—would be the best match.
✕Less likely to help
People with other breast cancer subtypes or unrelated diseases, or those who cannot provide samples or attend study visits, are unlikely to benefit directly from this work.
What this research studies
From my point of view, researchers will map the immune cells and molecular signals around triple-negative breast tumors that reach the brain to see what lets them grow there. They will compare those brain metastases to primary breast tumors and use laboratory models and patient-derived samples to track key pathways. The team will apply systems-biology analyses to identify patterns linked to higher risk and to racial differences in TNBC. Findings will guide ideas for therapies or ways to stop brain spread in the future.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could point to new immune-based strategies or targets to prevent or treat brain metastases from triple-negative breast cancer and help address racial disparities.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work shows immune cells matter for outcomes in primary TNBC, but applying a systems-biology approach specifically to TNBC brain metastases and ancestry-linked differences is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
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University of California at Davis
Davis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Umeh Garcia, Maxine — University of California at Davis
- Study coordinator: Umeh Garcia, Maxine
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Understanding how brain metastasis in triple-negative breast cancer is shaped by tumor-immune interactions
A patient-focused program aims to learn why TNBC spreads to the brain and how the immune system interacts with those cancer cells, with a focus on women of African ancestry.
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Investigating how tumor-immune interactions affect brain metastases in triple-negative breast cancer
This study is looking at how triple-negative breast cancer that has spread to the brain interacts with the immune system, especially in women of African ancestry, to find out what makes the cancer spread and how it affects patients' outcomes.
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Investigating how tumor-immune interactions affect brain metastases in triple-negative breast cancer.
This study is looking at how tumors and the immune system work together in women with triple-negative breast cancer that has spread to the brain, especially focusing on those of African ancestry, to find new ways to improve treatment and outcomes.
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Genomic study to understand how genetics and epigenetics shape triple-negative breast cancer in African ancestry
This study looks at how inherited genes and gene activity affect triple-negative breast cancer in people of African ancestry to better understand why outcomes can be worse.
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Co-Targeting IL-6 and CDK4/6 to Prevent TNBC in Women Veterans
A study aims to block two cancer-promoting pathways (IL-6 and CDK4/6) to prevent or reduce progression of triple-negative breast cancer in women veterans.
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Linking heavy metal exposure to a tougher breast cancer type (TNBC)
Aimed at understanding how heavy metals like cadmium might trigger a dangerous breast cancer type (TNBC) in people, especially those with BRCA1 risk, to identify possible future treatment strategies.
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.