Investigating how heavy metals affect breast cancer through histone modifications
Official title: H3 histone oxidation is a new posttranslational modification linking heavy metal-induced metabolic changes and oncegenic epigenetic reprogramming
Funded at Northwestern University at Chicago · NIH-11013884 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how exposure to heavy metals like arsenic and cadmium might change breast cancer cells in ways that make the cancer more aggressive and harder to treat, and it aims to find new ways to help improve treatment for breast cancer patients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Northwestern University at Chicago NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project start | January 23, 2024 |
| Project end | October 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $387,661 |
| NIH project number | 5R01ES035723-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11013884 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are breast cancer patients, particularly those with ER+/PR+ subtypes who may have been exposed to heavy metals.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with non-breast cancer conditions or those not exposed to heavy metals may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research explores how exposure to heavy metals like arsenic and cadmium can lead to changes in breast cancer cells by modifying histones, which are proteins that help package DNA. The study focuses on how these modifications can promote aggressive cancer behaviors, such as metastasis and resistance to treatment. By understanding the role of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species in this process, the researchers aim to identify potential therapeutic strategies that could improve treatment outcomes for patients with breast cancer. The approach includes using pharmacological compounds to protect against harmful histone modifications and studying their effects in laboratory models.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments that improve chemotherapy outcomes for breast cancer patients exposed to heavy metals.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promising results in understanding the effects of heavy metals on cancer biology, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Northwestern University at Chicago
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bonini, Marcelo G. — Northwestern University at Chicago
- Study coordinator: Bonini, Marcelo G.
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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.