LINC01133: a molecule that helps triple-negative breast cancer hide from the immune system
Official title: The long non-coding RNA LINC01133 as a novel determinant of immune evasion in triple-negative breast cancer
Funded at VA Boston Health Care System · NIH-11264831 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project explores whether blocking a molecule called LINC01133 can reduce growth and immune hiding in triple-negative breast cancer, a form that often affects younger African and Latino women.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | VA Boston Health Care System NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | January 1, 2024 |
| Project end | December 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| NIH project number | 5I01BX005980-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11264831 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with triple-negative breast cancer—especially those with metastatic or treatment-refractory disease or tumors that show high LINC01133 levels—would be the most likely candidates for future trials based on this work.
✕Less likely to help
People with hormone receptor–positive or HER2-positive breast cancers, or TNBC patients whose tumors lack high LINC01133 expression, may not benefit from LINC01133-targeted approaches.
What this research studies
Researchers found that a long RNA called LINC01133 is linked to aggressive triple-negative breast cancer and may help tumors start, spread, and avoid the immune system. In the lab they examine tumor cells' RNA patterns, test how LINC01133 changes cancer cell and immune cell behavior, and use mouse models to watch tumor growth and immune interactions. They also use antisense oligonucleotides (short RNA-blocking molecules) to turn off LINC01133 and see whether tumors slow down. The work connects lab findings to clinical tumor data to guide whether LINC01133 could become a treatment target for people with TNBC.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new therapies that make triple-negative breast cancers less aggressive and more responsive to the immune system and existing treatments.
How similar studies have gone: Antisense oligonucleotides have worked in other diseases and some preclinical cancer models, but targeting LINC01133 in TNBC is a novel approach that has not yet been tested in people.
Where this research is happening
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VA Boston Health Care System
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Karnoub, Antoine Elias — VA Boston Health Care System
- Study coordinator: Karnoub, Antoine Elias
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.