Improving treatment for triple-negative breast cancer using anti-NMDAR antibodies
Official title: Optimizing Anti-NMDAR Antibodies for Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Therapy
Funded at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory · NIH-11108587 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at a new treatment for triple-negative breast cancer that uses special antibodies to target a specific receptor in cancer cells, and it aims to make sure the treatment is effective while keeping any side effects in check, so it can help patients with this tough type of breast cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cold Spring Harbor, United States) |
| Project start | April 14, 2025 |
| Project end | March 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $781,436 |
| NIH project number | 1R01CA300691-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11108587 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer who may benefit from new therapeutic options.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with other types of breast cancer or those who do not express NMDAR may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a new therapy for triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) by utilizing antibodies that target the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR), which is often overexpressed in TNBC cells. The study aims to differentiate the anti-tumor effects of these antibodies from their potential neurological side effects, which can include severe complications like psychosis and seizures. Researchers will use advanced imaging techniques to understand how these antibodies interact with NMDAR and will test their effectiveness in specially designed mouse models of TNBC. The goal is to create a safe and effective treatment option for patients with this aggressive form of breast cancer.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to a novel and effective therapy for patients with triple-negative breast cancer, potentially improving survival rates.
How similar studies have gone: While the use of antibodies in cancer therapy is well-established, this specific approach targeting NMDAR in triple-negative breast cancer is novel and has not been extensively tested.
Where this research is happening
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Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
Cold Spring Harbor, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Janowitz, Tobias — Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
- Study coordinator: Janowitz, Tobias
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.