Identifying patients at high risk for late breast cancer recurrence using gene expression
Official title: Using gene expression to identify patients at high risk for late breast cancer recurrence
Funded at University of Vermont & St Agric College · NIH-10779323 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain genes can help identify women who might be at risk for breast cancer coming back many years after their initial treatment, so they can get the right preventive care to stay healthy.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Vermont & St Agric College NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Burlington, United States) |
| Project start | September 18, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $595,374 |
| NIH project number | 1R01CA286069-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10779323 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are women who have been diagnosed with ER-positive non-metastatic breast cancer and have remained recurrence-free for at least 10 years.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with metastatic breast cancer or those who have not reached the 10-year mark of being recurrence-free may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how gene expression can help identify women who are at high risk for experiencing late recurrence of breast cancer, which occurs more than 10 years after initial treatment. By analyzing the gene expression profiles of breast cancer patients who have remained recurrence-free for a decade, the study aims to differentiate those who may benefit from preventive therapies targeting dormant tumors. The research will involve a large cohort of both premenopausal and postmenopausal patients, following them for up to 20 years to gather comprehensive data on recurrence patterns. The goal is to develop a reliable prognostic tool that can guide treatment decisions and improve patient outcomes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better identification of patients who need preventive treatment for late breast cancer recurrence, potentially improving survival rates.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has explored biomarkers for breast cancer recurrence, but this study aims to provide a novel approach by focusing specifically on late recurrences and utilizing a large, diverse patient sample.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Vermont & St Agric College
Burlington, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ahern, Thomas Patrick — University of Vermont & St Agric College
- Study coordinator: Ahern, Thomas Patrick
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Gene expression marks high risk for very late breast cancer return
A patient-focused study aims to find gene patterns that identify women with early breast cancer who are most likely to have cancer come back more than a decade later.
-
Using gene expression to identify patients at high risk for late breast cancer recurrence
Researchers are studying breast cancer patients to find gene patterns that predict who might have cancer come back many years later, so doctors can tailor care for those at highest risk.
-
Gene tests to find women at high risk of breast cancer returning many years later
This project looks for patterns in tumor gene activity to spot women with ER-positive breast cancer who are more likely to have the cancer come back more than 10 years after initial treatment.
-
Enhancing pre-surgery therapy to prevent breast cancer recurrence
A new program tests ways to boost chemotherapy given before surgery to lower the chance that breast cancer comes back, especially focusing on groups that have had worse outcomes.
-
FoRtitude: an online program to ease fear of cancer recurrence for breast cancer survivors
A woman who has finished breast cancer treatment uses an online program to learn easy CBT-based steps to feel less worried about cancer coming back.
-
Prognostic staging for recurrent breast cancer to guide care
A Duke University-led project aims to create a prognostic classification system for women whose breast cancer has come back, so clinicians can discuss outcomes and plan treatment more clearly.
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.