Investigating how bromodomains affect breast cancer treatment responses
Official title: Project 2: Bromodomains as Epigenetic Modulators of Endocrine Responsiveness in ER+ Breast Cancer
Funded at University of Vermont & St Agric College · NIH-11074068 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain proteins affect the success of anti-estrogen treatments for the most common type of breast cancer, with the goal of finding better ways to help patients who struggle with treatment resistance.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P01 program project |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Vermont & St Agric College NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Burlington, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2021 |
| Project end | March 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $424,337 |
| NIH project number | 5P01CA240685-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11074068 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are women diagnosed with estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer who are undergoing or have undergone anti-estrogen therapy.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with other subtypes of breast cancer or those who are not receiving anti-estrogen therapies may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding how bromodomain proteins influence the effectiveness of anti-estrogen therapies in estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer, which is the most common type of breast cancer. The study aims to uncover the molecular mechanisms behind therapy resistance, which often leads to treatment failure and disease progression. By examining the role of histone acetylation and bromodomain interactions, researchers hope to identify new strategies to enhance treatment responses and overcome resistance. Patients may benefit from insights that could lead to more effective therapies tailored to their specific cancer profiles.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatment options for patients with estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer, potentially reducing the risk of therapy resistance.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in targeting bromodomains as a therapeutic strategy in cancer, indicating potential for success in this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Vermont & St Agric College
Burlington, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Frietze, Seth E — University of Vermont & St Agric College
- Study coordinator: Frietze, Seth E
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
ER+ Breast Cancer Bone Metastasis in a Real Body Environment
This grant aims to understand why estrogen receptor alpha–positive breast cancer often spreads to bone and how the bone environment and immune system affect treatment resistance.
-
Targeting RAGE to fight obesity-related ER+ breast cancer and its drug resistance
A scientist team will explore how obesity-related inflammation involving RAGE and estrone interacts with ER+ breast cancer to drive growth and spread, aiming to find strategies to overcome therapy resistance.
-
Understanding estrogen signals in bone to stop ER+ breast cancer spread
This NIH grant aims to uncover how estrogen signals inside bone help ER-positive breast cancer cells grow and spread, with the goal of finding better ways to prevent bone metastasis.
-
Progesterone Receptor Signaling and Dormancy in ER+ Breast Cancer
Researchers are studying how hormone signals in ER+/PR+ breast cancer influence cancer cell dormancy and later recurrence.
-
Heavy Metals and Breast Cancer Treatment Resistance
This project explores how exposure to heavy metals might make ER+ breast cancer harder to treat and how we might overcome this challenge.
-
Turning ER-positive breast cancer into a viral target for immune attack
This project aims to wake up viral-like bits inside ER-positive breast cancer cells so the immune system can spot and attack them.
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.