Investigating how lipids affect breast tissue and cancer risk
Official title: Lipid-initiated epigenetic reprogramming of the breast to a neural phenotype
Funded at Northwestern University at Chicago · NIH-11043884 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how changes in fat processing in breast tissue might increase the risk of a certain type of breast cancer, and it's for women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer to help find new ways to prevent this risk in others.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Northwestern University at Chicago NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project start | March 10, 2025 |
| Project end | February 28, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $187,000 |
| NIH project number | 1R21CA288676-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11043884 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are women who have been diagnosed with unilateral breast cancer and have an unaffected contralateral breast.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have a history of breast cancer or those with estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research explores how changes in lipid metabolism in breast tissue may lead to a higher risk of estrogen receptor-negative breast cancer. By examining the unaffected breast tissue of women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer, the study aims to identify local factors that could indicate risk for developing this type of cancer. The researchers will use cell models to analyze how exposure to specific fatty acids alters gene expression related to cancer development. This approach could help in finding new prevention strategies for at-risk women.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new methods for identifying and preventing estrogen receptor-negative breast cancer in women.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has indicated that lipid metabolism may play a role in breast cancer development, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Northwestern University at Chicago
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Clare, Susan E. — Northwestern University at Chicago
- Study coordinator: Clare, Susan E.
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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.