Integrating targeted therapy and immunotherapy to fight breast cancer
Official title: Integrating targeted therapy and immunotherapy to break through cancer
Funded at Dana-Farber Cancer Inst · NIH-11400994 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A cancer research program aims to combine targeted drugs with immunotherapy to improve treatment for breast cancer and brain metastasis.
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 start | September 1, 2016 |
| Project end | August 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $1,027,633 |
| NIH project number | 5R35CA210057-11 |
| Project ID | NIH-11400994 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with breast cancer, including those at risk for brain metastasis, could benefit from future therapies developed through these studies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients not matching study models (e.g., non-cancer individuals) would not directly benefit; clinical translation depends on future trials.
What this research studies
This NIH grant supports a cancer research program that looks at how signaling networks control tumor growth and the immune system’s role in therapy response. The team will use mouse models and patient-derived tumor samples to study PI3K/PTEN signaling, immune interactions, and how cancer spreads to the brain. The project plans multi-omics analyses and detailed lab studies to understand tumor biology, immune evasion, and resistance to therapy. The ultimate goal is to translate these findings into safer, more effective treatments for patients with cancer.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the research could lead to more effective combination therapies for breast cancer and brain metastases, potentially improving survival and quality of life.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work shows promise for combining targeted therapies with immunotherapy in cancer, but brain metastasis remains a challenging area that this project seeks to advance.
Where this research is happening
-
Dana-Farber Cancer Inst
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zhao, Jean — Dana-Farber Cancer Inst
- Study coordinator: Zhao, Jean
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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.