NIH-funded research R15 grant

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.

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Quick facts

Grant typeR15 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionSaint Joseph's University
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Philadelphia, United States)
Project startSeptember 21, 2022
Project endAugust 31, 2025
Funding year2022
Award (this year)$434,998
NIH project number1R15CA242344-01A1
Project IDNIH-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.

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.