Investigating a new protein that regulates DNA damage and repair in triple negative breast cancer
Official title: CAPER, a New Regulator of DNA Damage and Repair in Triple Negative Breast Cancer
Funded at Saint Joseph's University · NIH-10359895 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at a protein called CAPER to see how it affects the way triple negative breast cancer cells handle DNA damage, with the hope of finding better treatments that can either kill these cancer cells or help them respond better to chemotherapy and radiation.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R15 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Saint Joseph's University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project start | September 21, 2022 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2022 |
| Award (this year) | $434,998 |
| NIH project number | 1R15CA242344-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10359895 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 novel treatment strategies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with other subtypes of breast cancer that express hormone receptors may not receive direct benefits from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on triple negative breast cancer (TNBC), which is known for its poor clinical outcomes due to the absence of key hormone receptors. The study aims to explore the role of a protein called CAPER in DNA damage and repair mechanisms that are crucial for the survival of TNBC cells. By understanding how CAPER influences these processes, researchers hope to develop targeted treatments that can either kill TNBC cells or make them more responsive to existing therapies like chemotherapy and radiation. The approach involves knocking down CAPER expression in TNBC cells to observe the resulting effects on DNA damage and cell death.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new targeted therapies that improve survival rates for patients with triple negative breast cancer.
How similar studies have gone: While the specific role of CAPER in TNBC is largely unexplored, similar approaches targeting DNA repair mechanisms have shown promise in other cancer types.
Where this research is happening
-
Saint Joseph's University
Philadelphia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mercier, Isabelle — Saint Joseph's University
- Study coordinator: Mercier, Isabelle
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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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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-
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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.
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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.