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.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Worcester, United States) |
| Project start | June 28, 2023 |
| Project end | March 27, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $33,758 |
| NIH project number | 5F30CA275327-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-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.
-
Genomic study to understand how genetics and epigenetics shape triple-negative breast cancer in African ancestry
This study looks at how inherited genes and gene activity affect triple-negative breast cancer in people of African ancestry to better understand why outcomes can be worse.
-
Co-Targeting IL-6 and CDK4/6 to Prevent TNBC in Women Veterans
A study aims to block two cancer-promoting pathways (IL-6 and CDK4/6) to prevent or reduce progression of triple-negative breast cancer in women veterans.
-
Linking heavy metal exposure to a tougher breast cancer type (TNBC)
Aimed at understanding how heavy metals like cadmium might trigger a dangerous breast cancer type (TNBC) in people, especially those with BRCA1 risk, to identify possible future treatment strategies.
-
Dormancy in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer: How Liver and Skin Metastases Go Quiet or Reactivate
Researchers will study how dormant cancer cells in liver and skin metastases of triple-negative breast cancer become quiescent or wake up, using organ-on-chip models and single-cell analysis to map chromatin states.
-
Rac-enhanced CAR-Macrophages against TNBC
A new cell therapy approach uses engineered macrophages with a CAR and Rac2 activation to target and kill triple-negative breast cancer cells expressing CSPG4.
-
A new peptide therapy to help treat metastatic triple-negative breast cancer
A new peptide therapy called PEG-FUD is being tested to help treat metastatic triple-negative breast cancer by normalizing the tumor environment to improve treatment delivery.
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.