How the androgen receptor helps estrogen‑receptor‑mutant breast cancer spread
The pro-metastatic role of androgen receptor in estrogen receptor mutated breast cancer
This work looks at whether a protein called the androgen receptor helps estrogen‑receptor‑mutant breast cancers survive hormone therapy and spread to other parts of the body.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Maryland Baltimore NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11266164 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you have estrogen‑receptor–positive breast cancer, this research focuses on tumors that become resistant to aromatase inhibitor hormone therapy and develop ER gene mutations. Researchers will study patient‑derived tumor cells and breast cancer cell lines and use lab models that mimic low‑estrogen conditions and cellular stress to see how higher androgen levels and the androgen receptor support survival and metastatic behavior. The teams will compare cells with and without ER hotspot mutations, examine effects of reactive oxygen species and anchorage independence, and test whether blocking the androgen receptor changes cancer cell survival or spread. The goal is to find drug targets or strategies that could prevent or treat metastatic relapse in this setting.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This is most relevant to people with ER+ breast cancer that has progressed on aromatase inhibitors, especially those whose tumors carry ESR1 (ER) hotspot mutations or show increased androgen receptor levels.
Not a fit: People with ER‑negative breast cancer, early‑stage disease not exposed to aromatase inhibitors, or tumors lacking ER mutations or androgen receptor expression are less likely to benefit directly from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could identify ways to block the androgen receptor and help prevent or treat metastasis in patients with aromatase‑inhibitor‑resistant, ER‑mutant breast cancer.
How similar studies have performed: Prior laboratory studies, including work from these investigators, show the androgen receptor can help breast cancer cells survive stress and early preclinical models suggest AR blockade can reduce tumor growth, but clinical evidence in ER‑mutant, AI‑resistant disease remains limited.
Where this research is happening
Baltimore, United States
- University of Maryland Baltimore — Baltimore, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Yu, Min — University of Maryland Baltimore
- Study coordinator: Yu, Min
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.