Nanoparticle combination therapy for breast cancer
Nanoparticles-mediated combination therapy for breast cancer
A new treatment uses tiny nanoparticles to deliver a gene-silencing medicine that targets iRhom1 together with chemotherapy for people with metastatic breast cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11306616 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research develops a nanoparticle system designed to carry both siRNA that shuts down iRhom1 and standard chemotherapy drugs directly to breast tumors. In lab experiments and animal models, the team will test whether the nanoparticles selectively reach cancer cells, reverse chemotherapy resistance, and improve the tumor immune environment. The project builds on earlier findings that reducing iRhom1 can make tumors more sensitive to drugs like doxorubicin and can enhance anti-tumor immunity. If the approach works in preclinical tests, the researchers aim to move toward human testing.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for eventual trials would be people with metastatic breast cancer, particularly those whose tumors have become resistant to anthracycline or taxane chemotherapy.
Not a fit: People with early-stage breast cancer not receiving systemic chemotherapy or those seeking only approved, immediately available treatments would not directly benefit from this preclinical project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could overcome chemotherapy resistance and make existing drugs work better against metastatic breast cancer.
How similar studies have performed: Similar preclinical efforts combining nanoparticle delivery of siRNA with chemotherapy have shown promise in animal models, but translation to successful human treatments remains limited so far.
Where this research is happening
Pittsburgh, United States
- University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh — Pittsburgh, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Li, Song — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Li, Song
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.