Improving treatment for breast cancer that has spread to the brain
Project 2: Rational approaches to improve treatment outcomes of patients with breast cancer brain metastases
Trying antibody-drug combinations and immune-targeting drugs to help people with HER2-positive or HER2-low breast cancer that has spread to the brain.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Dana-Farber Cancer Inst NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11015467 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project focuses on therapies for breast cancer brain metastases using antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) such as trastuzumab deruxtecan and combinations with drugs that boost immune response. Researchers will use patient-derived tumor samples, patient-derived xenografts (PDXs), and genetically engineered mouse models to find combinations that work best against brain lesions. The team will study how ADCs cross the disrupted blood-tumor barrier in brain metastases and test whether blocking PI3Kβ can improve anti-tumor immunity in tumors with PTEN loss. Promising combinations will be moved into clinical trials so people with brain metastases can potentially enroll.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are people with breast cancer that has spread to the brain, particularly those with HER2-positive or HER2-low tumors and tumors showing PTEN loss.
Not a fit: People without brain metastases, those with non-HER2 breast cancers, or patients who do not meet trial safety or eligibility requirements may not directly benefit from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could improve control of brain metastases and reduce symptoms or extend survival for patients with HER2-positive or HER2-low breast cancer involving the brain.
How similar studies have performed: Antibody-drug conjugates like trastuzumab deruxtecan have improved outcomes in metastatic breast cancer, but applying ADCs specifically to active brain metastases is promising yet still relatively new because many prior trials excluded these patients.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Dana-Farber Cancer Inst — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lin, Nancy U — Dana-Farber Cancer Inst
- Study coordinator: Lin, Nancy U
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.