How triple-negative breast tumors shut down immune cells
Official title: Dissecting Molecular Mechanisms of Tumor-Induced Myeloid-Mediated Immune Suppression in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
Funded at University of Toledo Health Sci Campus · NIH-11192928 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are seeing how a tumor protein called TAZ causes immune-suppressing cells to gather in triple-negative breast cancer to find ways to improve immune-based treatments for patients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Toledo Health Sci Campus NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Toledo, United States) |
| Project start | September 13, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $558,523 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA287731-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11192928 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
The most relevant patients would be people diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer, especially those willing to provide tumor tissue or participate in future trials targeting tumor-immune interactions.
✕Less likely to help
People without triple-negative breast cancer or those seeking immediate treatment changes (rather than contributing samples to research) are unlikely to get a direct benefit from this research right away.
What this research studies
From a patient's point of view, scientists will study the role of a tumor protein named TAZ that appears to help tumors recruit immune-suppressing myeloid cells in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). They will use high-dimensional cell analysis (mass cytometry), genetic knockdown of TAZ in tumor models, and studies of tumor and immune cells to trace how TAZ changes the tumor immune environment. Much of the work uses preclinical TNBC mouse models alongside tumor-derived cells and samples to understand which myeloid populations (like MDSCs and tumor-associated macrophages) are affected. Findings are intended to point toward new strategies to reduce immune suppression and make immunotherapies work better for people with TNBC.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could identify new ways to block tumor-driven immune suppression and increase the effectiveness of immunotherapy for people with triple-negative breast cancer.
How similar studies have gone: Immune checkpoint inhibitors plus chemotherapy have helped some TNBC patients modestly, but targeting tumor TAZ and myeloid-driven suppression is a newer, mostly preclinical approach with limited clinical testing so far.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Toledo Health Sci Campus
Toledo, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zhang, Jianmin — University of Toledo Health Sci Campus
- Study coordinator: Zhang, Jianmin
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Genomic study to understand how genetics and epigenetics shape triple-negative breast cancer in African ancestry
This study looks at how inherited genes and gene activity affect triple-negative breast cancer in people of African ancestry to better understand why outcomes can be worse.
-
Co-Targeting IL-6 and CDK4/6 to Prevent TNBC in Women Veterans
A study aims to block two cancer-promoting pathways (IL-6 and CDK4/6) to prevent or reduce progression of triple-negative breast cancer in women veterans.
-
Linking heavy metal exposure to a tougher breast cancer type (TNBC)
Aimed at understanding how heavy metals like cadmium might trigger a dangerous breast cancer type (TNBC) in people, especially those with BRCA1 risk, to identify possible future treatment strategies.
-
Dormancy in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer: How Liver and Skin Metastases Go Quiet or Reactivate
Researchers will study how dormant cancer cells in liver and skin metastases of triple-negative breast cancer become quiescent or wake up, using organ-on-chip models and single-cell analysis to map chromatin states.
-
Rac-enhanced CAR-Macrophages against TNBC
A new cell therapy approach uses engineered macrophages with a CAR and Rac2 activation to target and kill triple-negative breast cancer cells expressing CSPG4.
-
A new peptide therapy to help treat metastatic triple-negative breast cancer
A new peptide therapy called PEG-FUD is being tested to help treat metastatic triple-negative breast cancer by normalizing the tumor environment to improve treatment delivery.
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.