Investigating new treatments for aggressive breast cancer in African American women
Official title: HER1-3 and Death Receptor protein folding as therapeutic vulnerabilities
Funded at University of Florida · NIH-10884420 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at new ways to treat advanced breast cancer, especially in African American women who often face tougher forms of the disease, by understanding how certain proteins help cancer cells survive and resist treatment, with the hope of making therapies work better for patients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Florida NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Gainesville, United States) |
| Project start | July 7, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $165,076 |
| NIH project number | 5R21CA277485-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10884420 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include African American women diagnosed with advanced or metastatic breast cancer, particularly those with Triple-Negative Breast Cancer.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with early-stage breast cancer or those not of African American descent may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing new therapeutic strategies for treating advanced and drug-resistant breast cancer, particularly in African American women who are more likely to develop aggressive forms like Triple-Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC). The study aims to understand how certain proteins, known as HER1-3 and Death Receptors, contribute to cancer cell survival and resistance to existing treatments. By targeting these proteins, the researchers hope to enhance the effectiveness of cancer therapies and improve patient outcomes. The approach involves exploring the mechanisms of cancer cell apoptosis and how to overcome the resistance that tumors exhibit against current treatments.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective treatments for advanced breast cancer, potentially improving survival rates for patients.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in targeting similar pathways in cancer treatment, suggesting that this approach could yield significant advancements.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Florida
Gainesville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Law, Brian K. — University of Florida
- Study coordinator: Law, Brian K.
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.