Investigating factors affecting survival rates in African American women with ER+ breast cancer

SQLE and Sterols Contribute to Racial Disparity in ER+ Breast Cancer Patient Survival

NIH-funded research University of Illinois at Chicago · NIH-10758961

This study is looking into why African American women with a specific type of breast cancer tend to have lower survival rates than white women, focusing on a particular enzyme that might be causing this issue, with the goal of finding better treatment options just for them.

Quick facts

Grant typeR21 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Illinois at Chicago NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Chicago, UNITED STATES)
Project IDNIH-10758961 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on understanding why African American women with estrogen receptor positive (ER+) breast cancer have worse survival rates compared to their white counterparts. The study aims to identify biological mechanisms, particularly the role of the enzyme SQLE, that may contribute to this disparity. By analyzing tumor samples and patient data, the researchers hope to uncover why these patients experience resistance to standard endocrine therapies. The findings could lead to improved treatment strategies tailored for African American women facing ER+ breast cancer.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are African American women diagnosed with estrogen receptor positive breast cancer.

Not a fit: Patients with other types of breast cancer or those who are not African American may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective treatments and improved survival rates for African American women with ER+ breast cancer.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has indicated that biological factors contribute to disparities in cancer outcomes, suggesting that this approach may yield valuable insights.

Where this research is happening

Chicago, UNITED STATES

Researchers

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 below.
Conditions Breast Cancer
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 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.