Investigating how changes in a protein affect breast cancer spread
Official title: The Role of EpCAM Glycosylation in Breast Cancer Metastasis
Funded at Johns Hopkins University · NIH-11084303 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at a protein called EpCAM to see how it helps breast cancer spread, and it's for people with breast cancer who want to understand more about how their disease works and what new treatments might be developed.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Johns Hopkins University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project start | May 1, 2023 |
| Project end | April 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $54,538 |
| NIH project number | 5F30CA268849-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11084303 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are women diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer who are undergoing treatment.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with early-stage breast cancer or those without a diagnosis of breast cancer may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding the role of a protein called EpCAM in the spread of breast cancer. It examines how modifications to this protein may influence the ability of cancer cells to invade tissues and metastasize to other parts of the body. By analyzing samples from breast cancer patients, the study aims to uncover the mechanisms behind EpCAM's involvement in cancer progression, which could lead to new therapeutic strategies. The research employs advanced biochemical techniques to assess protein expression and modifications in both primary tumors and metastatic sites.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments that specifically target the mechanisms of breast cancer metastasis, improving outcomes for patients.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the role of EpCAM in other epithelial cancers, suggesting that this approach may yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Jenkinson, Nicole Marie — Johns Hopkins University
- Study coordinator: Jenkinson, Nicole Marie
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Prolactin signaling and brain metastasis in HER2-positive breast cancer
Researchers are studying how prolactin signals help HER2-positive breast cancer cells grow in the brain, with the goal of finding new ideas to prevent brain metastases.
-
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.
-
Stable, ultra-tight peptides to block EphB4 and stop TNBC spread
A new peptide-based approach aims to block a cancer molecule called EphB4 to prevent metastasis in triple-negative breast cancer, especially in African American women.
-
How an immune signal in brain support cells helps breast cancer spread to the brain
This project looks at whether a specific immune signal in brain support cells (astrocytes) helps breast cancer cells grow in the brain, aiming to help people with breast cancer that has spread to the brain.
-
How brain support cells' recycling affects breast cancer spread to the brain
This project looks at whether blocking a cell-recycling process in brain support cells can prevent or slow breast cancer that spreads to the brain in people with breast cancer.
-
Understanding how chemotherapy affects breast cancer spread and liver immunity
A research project looks at how standard breast cancer chemotherapy may change the immune system and cancer spread, especially to the liver, in people with aggressive breast cancer.
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.