Linking heavy metal exposure to a tougher breast cancer type (TNBC)
Official title: Unraveling the molecular link between heavy metal exposure and triple-negative breast cancer
Funded at University of Louisville · NIH-11567535 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Louisville NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Louisville, United States) |
| Project start | August 16, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $248,999 |
| NIH project number | 4R00ES036286-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11567535 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Individuals with BRCA1-related risk or those exposed to heavy metals, particularly near contaminated areas, may be relevant for future studies or related trials.
✕Less likely to help
People without BRCA1 risk or heavy metal exposure may not directly benefit from these findings.
What this research studies
This project looks at how cadmium exposure may disrupt DNA repair in breast cells and potentially lead to TNBC, a hard-to-treat form of breast cancer. Researchers will use advanced techniques to study how heavy metals interfere with proteins involved in fixing DNA. The work will occur in two phases, starting with guided training to develop skills and then moving to more in-depth experiments in human cells. If the findings hold, they could point to new ways to prevent or better treat TNBC related to environmental exposures.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the research could reveal targets to prevent or slow TNBC that arises from heavy metal exposure.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work suggests metals can affect DNA repair, but direct links to TNBC initiation are still being explored.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Louisville
Louisville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Nail, Alexandra Nichole — University of Louisville
- Study coordinator: Nail, Alexandra Nichole
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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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.
-
Photoacoustic imaging to tailor antibody-drug therapy for TNBC
A non-invasive imaging approach using light-based sound waves (photoacoustic imaging) is being developed to guide and personalize antibody-drug conjugate therapy for women with triple-negative breast cancer.
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.