Integrating low-cost paper tests with targeted immunotherapy for triple negative breast cancer
Official title: Integrating Low-Cost Paper-Based Devices and Personalized Immunotherapeutics to Treat Triple Negative Breast Cancer
Funded at Delaware State University · NIH-11368459 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A research project combines affordable paper-based devices with personalized immune-based treatments to help people with triple negative breast cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Delaware State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Dover, United States) |
| Project start | September 20, 2022 |
| Project end | May 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $394,200 |
| NIH project number | 5U54MD015959-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11368459 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer, particularly those from minority groups affected by TNBC.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with non-TNBC or those without access to the study sites may not benefit from this approach.
What this research studies
This grant focuses on developing simple, low-cost paper sensors that can guide personalized immunotherapy for TNBC. It envisions using patient-specific biomarkers to tailor treatments that are less toxic than standard chemotherapy. The work involves collaboration at Delaware State University to translate these tools into a clinical pathway for patients, especially among minority populations affected by TNBC.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients with TNBC could receive more precise, less toxic therapies guided by affordable diagnostics.
How similar studies have gone: Similar efforts have shown promise in integrating low-cost diagnostics with targeted therapies, though TNBC-specific results are still emerging.
Where this research is happening
-
Delaware State University
Dover, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mcnaughton, Brian Richard — Delaware State University
- Study coordinator: Mcnaughton, Brian Richard
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.