Leadership and support for work on ancestry differences in response to HER2-targeted cancer therapy
Administrative Core
This project looks at how patients' ancestry affects immune cells' reactions to HER2-targeted antibody treatments for cancers such as breast cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Wayne State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Detroit, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11184206 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This program is building a team and systems to find genetic differences tied to ancestry that change how macrophages (a type of immune cell) respond to anti-HER2 antibody treatments. It will link lab studies, patient samples, and clinical data across centers to look for ancestry-specific genetic signals. The Administrative Core runs the project by organizing leadership meetings, managing funds and compliance, and keeping communications flowing between investigators. The goal is to use those discoveries to guide fairer, more effective treatment for people of different backgrounds.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants are people with HER2-positive cancers—especially those from diverse ancestral backgrounds—who can provide tissue or blood samples or share treatment and outcome information.
Not a fit: People without HER2-positive tumors or those unable or unwilling to provide samples or clinical data are unlikely to benefit directly.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help make HER2-targeted therapies more effective and reduce racial disparities in treatment outcomes.
How similar studies have performed: HER2-targeted antibodies are well-established and immune cells are known to influence response, but studies specifically linking ancestry-related macrophage genetics to therapy response are limited and still emerging.
Where this research is happening
Detroit, United States
- Wayne State University — Detroit, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Schwartz, Ann G. — Wayne State University
- Study coordinator: Schwartz, Ann G.
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 below.