How the Hippo pathway affects the estrogen receptor in breast cancer
Functional interplay between Hippo and estrogen receptor ESR1
This project looks at whether targeting the Hippo pathway can lower estrogen receptor levels to slow growth of ER-positive breast cancers, including tumors that no longer respond to hormone therapy.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Diego NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11296882 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
They will study how the Hippo signaling system controls the ESR1 gene that makes the estrogen receptor, using laboratory models of breast cancer. The team will manipulate core Hippo components (like LATS1/2) in cancer cells and in preclinical models to see how that changes ER levels and tumor growth. They will also examine whether changing Hippo signaling makes tumors more visible to the immune system and could work with immune-based treatments. Results will guide whether drugs that affect this pathway might help patients with hormone-resistant ER-positive breast cancer.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with ER-positive (ESR1-driven) breast cancer, especially those whose tumors have become resistant to hormone therapies, would be the most relevant candidates for future trials based on this work.
Not a fit: Patients with ER-negative breast cancer are unlikely to benefit from approaches that target ESR1 regulation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new ways to lower ER activity and slow or treat ER-positive breast cancers that resist standard hormone therapy.
How similar studies have performed: Laboratory studies have linked Hippo pathway components to ESR1 control and shown loss of LATS1/2 can reduce ER and tumor growth, but translating these findings into patient treatments remains unproven.
Where this research is happening
La Jolla, United States
- University of California, San Diego — La Jolla, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Yang, Jing — University of California, San Diego
- Study coordinator: Yang, Jing
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.