How skin delivery of drugs can help treat breast cancer

Determinants of transdermal drug delivery to the normal and the radiated breast

NIH-funded research Northwestern University at Chicago · NIH-10559716

This study is looking at whether delivering medication through the skin can be a helpful alternative for treating ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) of the breast, with the goal of reducing side effects compared to taking pills.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionNorthwestern University at Chicago NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Chicago, United States)
Project IDNIH-10559716 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates how transdermal drug delivery can be used as an alternative treatment for ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) of the breast. It focuses on the effectiveness of delivering medication through the skin, which may reduce the side effects associated with oral therapies. The study aims to understand the factors that affect how well drugs penetrate the skin and to compare the outcomes of transdermal versus oral treatments. By conducting clinical trials, the research seeks to establish whether skin-delivered therapies can provide similar benefits to traditional oral medications.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are women diagnosed with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) who are seeking alternative treatment options.

Not a fit: Patients with advanced breast cancer or those who have not been diagnosed with DCIS may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a safer and more effective treatment option for women with DCIS, reducing reliance on oral therapies that have significant side effects.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promising results with transdermal drug delivery methods, indicating potential for success in this novel approach.

Where this research is happening

Chicago, 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.
Conditions Breast CancerCancers
Last reviewed 2026-06-10 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.