How tumor-infiltrating neutrophils affect breast cancer treatment
Official title: Immunosuppression and Metabolic Rewiring in Tumor-infiltrating Neutrophils
Funded at University of Notre Dame · NIH-11079460 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain immune cells called neutrophils in metastatic breast cancer might make it harder for treatments to work, and it hopes to find ways to target these cells to improve therapy outcomes for patients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Notre Dame NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Notre Dame, United States) |
| Project start | May 1, 2023 |
| Project end | April 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $362,196 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA280097-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11079460 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer who are currently resistant to standard immunotherapy treatments.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with early-stage breast cancer or those not receiving immunotherapy may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the role of tumor-infiltrating neutrophils (TINs) in metastatic breast cancer and their contribution to resistance against immunotherapy. By utilizing advanced techniques like single-cell RNA sequencing, the study aims to understand how these neutrophils survive in the tumor microenvironment and how they can be targeted to improve treatment outcomes. The focus is on a specific enzyme, Acod1, which is believed to play a crucial role in the immunosuppressive functions of TINs. If successful, this research could lead to new strategies that enhance the effectiveness of existing cancer therapies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved immunotherapy responses for patients with metastatic breast cancer.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promising results in targeting immune cells to enhance cancer treatment, suggesting that this approach may also yield significant benefits.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Notre Dame
Notre Dame, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lu, Xin — University of Notre Dame
- Study coordinator: Lu, Xin
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Vascular signals from brain blood vessels influence immune-suppressing cells in glioblastoma
This grant explores how blood vessel cells in glioblastoma shape immune cells to help the tumor grow, with the aim of making immunotherapies work better for patients.
-
Vascularized niche with local immune protection to transplant insulin-producing cells for Type 1 diabetes
A new approach aims to transplant insulin-producing cells inside a vascularized pocket with local drug delivery to keep them alive and functioning without full-body immune suppression.
-
AHR-driven immunosuppression in glioblastoma and new therapeutic targets
A personalized cancer study aims to understand why glioblastoma suppresses the immune system and to find ways to boost anti-tumor immunity in patients with this brain tumor.
-
Fibroblast-made GABA fuels PDAC immune suppression
In people with pancreatic cancer, this study explores how a specific cell type in the tumor environment uses a brain-like chemical (GABA) to dampen immune attack against the cancer.
-
Biomarker-guided reduction of immunosuppression after liver transplant
A multicenter trial tests whether using blood biomarkers to guide tapering of immunosuppression in adults with liver transplants can keep people healthy while lowering drug exposure.
-
Understanding and Overcoming T cell Immunosuppression in Glioblastoma (GBM)
A large research program is looking at how glioblastoma tumors weaken immune responses and how to boost immune cells to fight GBM.
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.