Immune-suppressing role of Fas/CD95 in triple-negative breast cancer
Official title: Novel immune suppressive activities of Fas/CD95 in triple negative breast cancer
Funded at Northwestern University · NIH-11378368 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A patient-friendly look at a project studying how a cell-surface protein called Fas/CD95 may help or hinder immune responses in triple-negative breast cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Northwestern University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project start | July 7, 2022 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $477,698 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA267815-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11378368 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with triple-negative breast cancer or who have tumors expressing Fas/CD95.
✕Less likely to help
People without TNBC or without Fas/CD95 involvement may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project looks at how breast cancer cells with TNBC behave when Fas/CD95 is present. Researchers will study how Fas can sometimes promote tumor growth by shaping the immune environment, especially by attracting immune-suppressing cells and limiting attack by natural killer cells. The work uses mouse models and analyses of human cancer biology to uncover mechanisms that could be targeted in future therapies. The goal is to translate these findings into strategies that improve how the immune system fights TNBC.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, findings could lead to new approaches that make the immune system better at recognizing and attacking TNBC.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work shows Fas can influence tumor growth and immune interactions in breast cancer, with ongoing exploration of immune-modulatory roles.
Where this research is happening
-
Northwestern University
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Peter, Marcus E. — Northwestern University
- Study coordinator: Peter, Marcus E.
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Genomic study to understand how genetics and epigenetics shape triple-negative breast cancer in African ancestry
This study looks at how inherited genes and gene activity affect triple-negative breast cancer in people of African ancestry to better understand why outcomes can be worse.
-
Co-Targeting IL-6 and CDK4/6 to Prevent TNBC in Women Veterans
A study aims to block two cancer-promoting pathways (IL-6 and CDK4/6) to prevent or reduce progression of triple-negative breast cancer in women veterans.
-
Linking heavy metal exposure to a tougher breast cancer type (TNBC)
Aimed at understanding how heavy metals like cadmium might trigger a dangerous breast cancer type (TNBC) in people, especially those with BRCA1 risk, to identify possible future treatment strategies.
-
Dormancy in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer: How Liver and Skin Metastases Go Quiet or Reactivate
Researchers will study how dormant cancer cells in liver and skin metastases of triple-negative breast cancer become quiescent or wake up, using organ-on-chip models and single-cell analysis to map chromatin states.
-
Rac-enhanced CAR-Macrophages against TNBC
A new cell therapy approach uses engineered macrophages with a CAR and Rac2 activation to target and kill triple-negative breast cancer cells expressing CSPG4.
-
A new peptide therapy to help treat metastatic triple-negative breast cancer
A new peptide therapy called PEG-FUD is being tested to help treat metastatic triple-negative breast cancer by normalizing the tumor environment to improve treatment delivery.
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.