NIH-funded research Fellowship grant

Investigating how VEGF and Neuropilin-2 contribute to treatment resistance in aggressive breast cancer.

Official title: VEGF/Neuropilin-2 Signaling and Radioresistance in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

Funded at Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester · NIH-10887394 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is looking at how certain signals in triple-negative breast cancer might make it harder for radiation therapy to work, with the goal of finding new ways to treat this tough type of cancer.

More Breast Cancer research and trials

Quick facts

Grant typeFellowship grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniv of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Worcester, United States)
Project startJune 28, 2023
Project endMarch 27, 2027
Funding year2024
Award (this year)$33,758
NIH project number5F30CA275327-02
Project IDNIH-10887394 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with Triple-Negative Breast Cancer who are undergoing or have undergone radiation therapy.

Less likely to help

Patients with other types of breast cancer or those who are not receiving radiation therapy may not benefit from this research.

What this research studies

This research focuses on Triple-Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC), a particularly aggressive form of breast cancer that often does not respond well to standard treatments. The study aims to understand how the signaling pathways involving Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) and Neuropilin-2 (NRP2) contribute to the cancer's resistance to radiation therapy. By examining how these pathways affect the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in cancer cells, researchers hope to identify new therapeutic targets. The use of advanced techniques like single-cell RNA sequencing will help pinpoint specific subpopulations of TNBC that are resistant to treatment, potentially leading to more effective strategies for overcoming this resistance.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatment options for patients with Triple-Negative Breast Cancer, potentially reducing recurrence rates and enhancing therapeutic efficacy.

How similar studies have gone: While the specific approach of targeting the VEGF/NRP2 signaling pathway in TNBC is relatively novel, similar strategies targeting cancer resistance mechanisms have shown promise in other studies.

Where this research is happening

  • Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester
    Worcester, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Kumar, Ayush — Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester
  • Study coordinator: Kumar, Ayush

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.