Lowering HSF1 to help immune T cells enter metastatic breast tumors
Official title: Targeting heat shock factor 1 (HSF1) to increase tumor infiltrating lymphocytes in metastatic breast cancer.
Funded at Indiana University Indianapolis · NIH-11310107 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This work looks at whether lowering a protein called HSF1 can help immune T cells get into metastatic breast tumors for people with metastatic breast cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Indiana University Indianapolis NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Indianapolis, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2025 |
| Project end | March 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $375,964 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA285967-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11310107 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with metastatic breast cancer—especially those whose tumors currently lack CD8+ T cells—would be the most relevant candidates.
✕Less likely to help
People with non-breast cancers or those with early-stage, non-metastatic breast cancer are unlikely to see direct benefits from this specific work.
What this research studies
Researchers will study how the protein HSF1 affects the ability of CD8+ T cells and other immune cells to enter metastatic breast tumors using lab models and analysis of human tumor samples. In mouse and cell experiments they will reduce HSF1 levels to see if that increases the chemokine CCL5 and draws more CD8+ T cells into tumors. They will compare HSF1 activity and immune cell levels in matched primary and metastatic human tumors to confirm findings seen in the lab. The goal is to find ways to increase immune cell presence in metastases so existing immune-based treatments might work better for patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could lead to treatments that draw more immune T cells into metastatic breast tumors and improve responses to immunotherapy.
How similar studies have gone: Preclinical studies already showed that reducing HSF1 in primary breast tumors increases CD8+ T cell infiltration, but applying this approach specifically to metastatic tumors is newer.
Where this research is happening
-
Indiana University Indianapolis
Indianapolis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Carpenter, Richard L — Indiana University Indianapolis
- Study coordinator: Carpenter, Richard L
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Increasing immune cells in metastatic breast cancer by targeting HSF1.
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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.