Improving immune therapy effectiveness in hormone receptor positive breast cancer
Official title: Targeting the Progesterone Receptor as a Novel Means to Increase Efficacy of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors in Hormone Receptor Positive Breast Cancer
Funded at University of Kansas Medical Center · NIH-10689878 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how targeting a specific hormone receptor in breast cancer can help make current treatments work better by boosting the immune system, with the goal of finding new ways to fight hormone receptor positive breast cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Kansas Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Kansas City, United States) |
| Project start | August 24, 2022 |
| Project end | July 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $216,691 |
| NIH project number | 5R21CA274044-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10689878 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are women diagnosed with hormone receptor positive breast cancer, particularly those who have shown resistance to current therapies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with hormone receptor negative breast cancer or those who do not have breast cancer may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how targeting the progesterone receptor (PR) can enhance the effectiveness of immune checkpoint inhibitors in treating hormone receptor positive breast cancer. The study focuses on understanding the role of PR in immune suppression within tumors and aims to identify new therapeutic strategies that could overcome resistance to existing treatments. By utilizing advanced models and examining immune responses, the research seeks to provide insights into how to better activate the immune system against these cancers.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective treatments for patients with hormone receptor positive breast cancer, potentially improving survival rates.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in targeting immune pathways in cancer, suggesting that this approach may lead to significant advancements in treatment.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Kansas Medical Center
Kansas City, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hagan, Christy — University of Kansas Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Hagan, Christy
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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.