Mapping genetic networks to guide precise breast cancer treatments
Project 2: Functional Genetic Networks for Systems-Guided Precision Medicine
The team uses CRISPR gene-editing screens to find genetic interactions that could help match breast cancer patients with better-targeted therapies.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Francisco NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11169871 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a patient's view, researchers are using CRISPR/Cas9 to turn off or tweak genes in human breast cancer cells to see which gene combinations make tumors more vulnerable to treatments. They focus on key pathways such as PI3K and p53 and search for 'synthetic lethal' partners—genes whose loss makes cancer cells die when paired with a drug target. Screens will run across many cell lines and lab-grown microenvironments to reflect different tumor types and treatment conditions. The lab findings aim to point to new drug targets or drug combinations that could later be tested in patients.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with invasive breast cancer, especially those whose tumors have PI3K pathway changes or p53 mutations, would be the most likely candidates for future trials based on this work.
Not a fit: Patients seeking immediate new treatments or those whose tumors lack relevant genetic changes may not benefit directly from this lab-focused research right away.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could point to new targets or drug combinations that enable more effective, personalized treatment for breast cancer patients.
How similar studies have performed: Previous CRISPR and synthetic-lethality screens have found promising targets in lab models, but converting those findings into approved therapies has been slow and remains a challenge.
Where this research is happening
San Francisco, United States
- University of California, San Francisco — San Francisco, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Fraley, Stephanie Irene — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Fraley, Stephanie Irene
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.