Investigating how fat cells affect breast cancer treatment
Official title: Adipocyte PD-L1 in the Breast Tumor Microenvironment
Funded at George Washington University · NIH-11056694 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how fat cells in the breast might affect the immune system's ability to fight breast cancer, especially focusing on a protein called PD-L1, to help find better treatments for patients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | George Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Washington, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2024 |
| Project end | March 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $660,030 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA279566-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11056694 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with breast cancer, particularly those with obesity or high adiposity.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with non-breast cancers or those without significant adipose tissue may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research explores the role of fat cells, specifically adipocytes, in the breast tumor microenvironment and their impact on anti-tumor immunity. It focuses on the protein PD-L1, which is found in these fat cells and may influence the effectiveness of current immunotherapies for breast cancer. By using specialized mouse models, the study aims to uncover how adipocyte PD-L1 interacts with immune cells and affects tumor growth. The findings could lead to new strategies for improving breast cancer treatments by targeting the unique characteristics of the breast tissue.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could enhance the effectiveness of breast cancer immunotherapies, leading to better treatment outcomes for patients.
How similar studies have gone: While the role of PD-L1 in cancer treatment is well-studied, the specific focus on adipocyte PD-L1 in breast cancer is a novel approach that has not been extensively tested.
Where this research is happening
-
George Washington University
Washington, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Li, Rong — George Washington University
- Study coordinator: Li, Rong
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.