Investigating how changes in estrogen receptors can improve breast cancer treatment
Official title: Structural-Transcriptional Relationships that Improve Y537S Estrogen Receptor Antagonism
Funded at Loyola University Chicago · NIH-11062421 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how changes in a specific part of a protein related to breast cancer can help make treatments work better for patients whose cancer doesn't respond to usual hormone therapies, with the goal of finding new drugs that can more effectively target these tough-to-treat cancer cells.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R37 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Loyola University Chicago NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Maywood, United States) |
| Project start | May 11, 2023 |
| Project end | April 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $344,805 |
| NIH project number | 5R37CA279341-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11062421 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients with hormone-resistant breast cancer, particularly those with the Y537S mutation in the estrogen receptor.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with non-hormone-responsive breast cancer or those without the Y537S mutation may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding how specific structural changes in the Y537S estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) can enhance the effectiveness of treatments for hormone-resistant breast cancer cells. By examining how these changes affect the receptor's ability to respond to antiestrogen therapies, the study aims to identify new drug candidates that can better target these resistant cancer cells. The approach involves using advanced techniques like x-ray crystallography to visualize how different drugs interact with the receptor, potentially leading to more effective treatment options for patients with advanced breast cancer.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective therapies for patients with hormone-resistant breast cancer, improving survival rates and quality of life.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in targeting estrogen receptor mutations, suggesting that this approach could yield significant advancements in breast cancer treatment.
Where this research is happening
-
Loyola University Chicago
Maywood, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Fanning, Sean William — Loyola University Chicago
- Study coordinator: Fanning, Sean William
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.