How the proteins ARF and ADAR1 affect triple-negative breast cancer

Antagonistic role of ARF and ADAR1 in triple-negative breast cancer

NIH-funded research Washington University · NIH-11258917

This project looks at whether changing ARF and ADAR1 levels can boost immune signals and make triple-negative breast cancer cells more likely to die for people with TNBC.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionWashington University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Saint Louis, United States)
Project IDNIH-11258917 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

Researchers will work with triple-negative breast cancer cell lines and molecular tests to see how ARF and ADAR1 interact and control type I interferon (immune) signaling. They will reduce ADAR1 and change ARF levels to observe effects on cancer cell survival and markers of immune recognition. The team will test whether ARF traps ADAR1 in the nucleolus and whether that trapping prevents ADAR1 from blocking immune signals. Findings will be compared to tumor-related data to look for biomarkers that could point to patient groups most likely to benefit.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: People with triple-negative breast cancer, especially tumors showing loss of ARF and p53 mutation, would be most relevant to these findings.

Not a fit: Patients with non–triple-negative breast cancer or tumors that retain ARF and normal p53 are less likely to benefit from this specific line of work.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this could point to new biomarkers or treatment approaches that make TNBC tumors more sensitive to immune attack and more likely to die.

How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown ADAR1 controls interferon responses and that targeting ADAR1 can sensitize tumors, but the ARF–ADAR1 interaction in TNBC is a new and untested finding.

Where this research is happening

Saint Louis, 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 CancerBreast Cancer CellBreast Cancer cell line
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 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.