How tumor stiffness and tissue environment affect HER2 antibody therapy
Official title: Role of tumor biomechanics on drug-receptor engagement
Funded at Albany Medical College · NIH-11450033 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project studies how the physical environment inside HER2-positive tumors affects how well HER2-targeting antibodies can reach and engage their target in patients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Albany Medical College NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Albany, United States) |
| Project start | June 1, 2026 |
| Project end | May 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $648,579 |
| NIH project number | 1R01CA308771-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11450033 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with HER2-positive breast cancer whose tumors exhibit characteristics such as ECM stiffness and vascular abnormalities may be most relevant for related translational work.
✕Less likely to help
Patients whose tumors already respond well to current HER2 antibody therapies or have highly favorable tumor microenvironments may see limited direct benefit.
What this research studies
Researchers will use animal tumor models that mimic human breast cancer to study how factors like tissue stiffness, collagen density, and blood flow change the delivery and binding of HER2 antibodies. The study uses patient-derived tumor samples to capture realistic tumor environments and applies advanced imaging to observe antibody movement and receptor engagement in intact tissues. The goal is to uncover why some tumors resist therapy and how to improve drug delivery to maximize treatment benefit for patients with HER2-positive breast cancer.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could identify ways to optimize antibody delivery and binding in stiff or poorly perfused tumors, potentially improving the effectiveness of HER2-targeted therapies.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work shows that the tumor environment can influence antibody delivery and target engagement, but this project advances understanding using intact tumor tissues and diverse models.
Where this research is happening
-
Albany Medical College
Albany, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Barroso, Margarida — Albany Medical College
- Study coordinator: Barroso, Margarida
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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.