How race and ancestry influence breast cancer treatment responses

Race and ancestry as predictors of the tumor immune microenvironment and response to immunotherapy

NIH-funded research University of California, San Francisco · NIH-10880147

This study is looking at how different racial and ethnic backgrounds influence how well women with triple-negative breast cancer respond to immunotherapy, aiming to understand treatment differences among Black, Hispanic/Latina, and Asian women to help improve care for everyone.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of California, San Francisco NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (San Francisco, United States)
Project IDNIH-10880147 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates how different racial and ethnic backgrounds affect the immune response to breast cancer treatments, particularly immunotherapy. It focuses on understanding the tumor immune microenvironment in women with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), a type that is more responsive to these treatments. By analyzing population-based cancer registry data, the study aims to determine the frequency of immunotherapy use among diverse groups, including Black, Hispanic/Latina, and Asian women. The goal is to uncover disparities in treatment outcomes and improve personalized care for these populations.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research include women diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer, particularly those from Black, Hispanic/Latina, and Asian backgrounds.

Not a fit: Patients with non-breast cancer diagnoses or those not belonging to the specified racial and ethnic groups may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective and tailored immunotherapy treatments for breast cancer patients from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has indicated that understanding the tumor immune microenvironment can significantly impact treatment outcomes, suggesting that this approach has potential for success.

Where this research is happening

San Francisco, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.