How whole genome doubling makes breast cancer more aggressive and resistant to treatment
Causes and Consequences of Whole Genome Duplication in Cancer Progression and Acquired Drug Resistance
This research looks at how whole genome doubling in breast cancer cells can cause chemotherapy resistance and worse outcomes, especially in people with metastatic triple‑negative breast cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Johns Hopkins University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11238023 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Scientists are using live‑cell biosensors and advanced time‑lapse imaging to follow thousands of individual breast cancer cells over days to see when and how their genomes double. They expose cells to stresses such as DNA‑damaging chemotherapy, osmotic stress, and ribosome collisions to identify events that cause cells to skip mitosis and re‑replicate DNA. The team uses CRISPR and biochemical tests to probe genes involved in cell cycle control and drug response. The goal is to determine whether common treatments can unintentionally promote genome doubling and drug resistance so future therapies can avoid or counteract that process.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with metastatic triple‑negative breast cancer or those receiving DNA‑damaging chemotherapy would be the most relevant group for these findings and any future clinical studies.
Not a fit: Patients without breast cancer or those with early‑stage, near‑diploid tumors unlikely to be treated with DNA‑damaging agents may not directly benefit from this specific research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to ways to prevent or reverse treatment‑induced genome doubling, helping therapies work better and lowering recurrence in aggressive breast cancers.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have found that whole genome duplication is common in cancers and linked to poorer outcomes, but directly capturing and characterizing the rare events with live‑cell biosensors is a newer and less‑tested approach.
Where this research is happening
Baltimore, United States
- Johns Hopkins University — Baltimore, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Regot, Sergi — Johns Hopkins University
- Study coordinator: Regot, Sergi
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 below.