Improving chemotherapy effectiveness in aggressive breast cancer by targeting a specific protein

Enhancing chemotherapeutic efficacy in triple-negative breast cancer via DSTYK silence

NIH-funded research University of Toledo Health Sci Campus · NIH-11286452

This study is looking at how turning off a protein called DSTYK might help make chemotherapy work better for people with triple-negative breast cancer, and it aims to find new ways to do this using tiny particles called exosomes.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Toledo Health Sci Campus NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Toledo, United States)
Project IDNIH-11286452 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates how silencing a protein called DSTYK can enhance the effectiveness of chemotherapy in patients with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), a particularly aggressive form of breast cancer. The study aims to understand the role of DSTYK in making cancer cells resistant to treatment and explores innovative methods to silence this protein using exosomes. By conducting experiments in both laboratory settings and animal models, the researchers hope to find new ways to overcome chemotherapy resistance and improve treatment outcomes for TNBC patients.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer who are undergoing or have undergone chemotherapy.

Not a fit: Patients with non-triple-negative breast cancer or those who have not received chemotherapy may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective chemotherapy treatments for patients with triple-negative breast cancer, potentially improving survival rates.

How similar studies have performed: While the approach of targeting DSTYK in chemotherapy is novel, similar strategies targeting other proteins have shown promise in enhancing treatment efficacy in cancer research.

Where this research is happening

Toledo, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.