How tumor metabolism changes immune response in metastatic triple-negative breast cancer
Official title: Determining the Impact of Metabolic Adaptations on the Immune-Tumor Microenvironment in Metastatic Breast Cancer
Funded at Roswell Park Cancer Institute Corp · NIH-11248412 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at how the enzyme PFKFB4 alters tumor metabolism and the immune response in people with metastatic triple-negative breast cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Roswell Park Cancer Institute Corp NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Buffalo, United States) |
| Project start | January 1, 2025 |
| Project end | December 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $719,086 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA285707-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11248412 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates would be people with metastatic triple-negative (TNBC) breast cancer or patients willing to donate tumor tissue or clinical data for research.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with non-TNBC breast cancers or those without metastatic disease may not receive direct benefit from this project.
What this research studies
From a patient's perspective, researchers are studying how a metabolic enzyme called PFKFB4 makes triple-negative breast cancer more aggressive and helps tumors escape immune attack. They will examine patient tumor samples and clinical data to see whether higher PFKFB4 levels link to worse outcomes, and use mouse models and human cancer cells with PFKFB4 turned down to watch effects on metastasis and immune cell presence. The team will use live imaging to measure tumor oxygen levels and RNA sequencing to track which genes and pathways are turned on when PFKFB4 is active. Results will help decide if targeting PFKFB4 could slow spread or boost the immune system against these tumors.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new treatments that block metastasis or strengthen immune responses in people with metastatic triple-negative breast cancer.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has linked tumor metabolism to immune suppression and early animal studies suggest targeting metabolic enzymes can reduce metastasis, but clinical benefit in patients remains unproven.
Where this research is happening
-
Roswell Park Cancer Institute Corp
Buffalo, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Dasgupta, Subhamoy — Roswell Park Cancer Institute Corp
- Study coordinator: Dasgupta, Subhamoy
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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.