Investigating how obesity affects breast cancer growth and treatment resistance
Official title: Targeting RAGE in tumor and TME to oppose inflammation and drug resistance in obesity associated ER+ breast cancer
Funded at Georgetown University · NIH-10884269 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how being overweight might raise the risk of a certain type of breast cancer in women after menopause, and it aims to find new ways to improve treatment by understanding how inflammation and hormones play a role in this connection.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Georgetown University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Washington, United States) |
| Project start | July 7, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $494,656 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA276587-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10884269 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are postmenopausal women with estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer who are also classified as obese.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with non-estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer or those who are not obese may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding the link between obesity and increased risk of estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer in postmenopausal women. It examines how obesity-induced inflammation and elevated estrogen levels contribute to cancer growth and resistance to therapies. The study explores the role of the Receptor for Advanced Glycation End-products (RAGE) and its interaction with inflammatory pathways in breast cancer cells and surrounding tissues. By targeting these mechanisms, the research aims to identify new strategies to improve treatment outcomes for affected patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective treatments for breast cancer in obese patients, potentially reducing mortality rates.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in targeting inflammatory pathways in cancer, suggesting that this approach may yield significant insights and advancements.
Where this research is happening
-
Georgetown University
Washington, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hudson, Barry Ian — Georgetown University
- Study coordinator: Hudson, Barry Ian
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Targeting RAGE to fight obesity-related ER+ breast cancer and its drug resistance
A scientist team will explore how obesity-related inflammation involving RAGE and estrone interacts with ER+ breast cancer to drive growth and spread, aiming to find strategies to overcome therapy resistance.
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Blocking Inflammation and Drug Resistance in Obesity-Related Breast Cancer
This project explores how inflammation linked to obesity makes estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer more aggressive and resistant to treatment.
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FABP5: How fats in obesity may drive triple negative breast cancer
A study exploring how a fat‑binding protein called FABP5 helps obesity-related fats push the spread of aggressive breast cancer in models that resemble human disease.
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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.
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How fat in our bodies may link obesity to breast cancer risk through A-FABP
This grant looks at how a protein called A-FABP helps obesity from high-fat diets increase the risk of breast cancer, with potential targets for prevention.
-
How a mother's obesity might affect her child’s breast cancer risk through the gut
This study investigates whether maternal obesity changes a child’s gut bacteria in a way that could increase breast cancer risk later in life.
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.