New breast cancer drugs that kill tumors and keep them from growing back
Novel taxane-site tubulin ligands with a dual apoptosis and senescence-inducing mechanism of action
These new cancer compounds both kill breast cancer cells and lock surviving cells into a long-lasting inactive state, with a focus on aggressive triple-negative tumors that no longer respond to taxane chemotherapy.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Albert Einstein College of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Bronx, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11294187 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers are designing and making new versions of a tubulin-targeting chemotherapy molecule related to discodermolide and taxol to see how chemical changes affect whether cancer cells die or enter long-lasting senescence. They will use X-ray crystallography to map how the drugs fit into the tubulin pocket, create fluorescent versions to track the compounds inside cells, and test them in laboratory models of triple-negative breast cancer that are resistant to taxanes. The team will also study metabolic stability to understand how long the compounds last and how durable the senescent state is. The work is largely preclinical in lab models but is intended to guide development of therapies that could move into future clinical testing.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults with triple-negative breast cancer, especially those whose tumors have stopped responding to taxane chemotherapy, would be the most relevant future candidates.
Not a fit: People with non-breast cancers or hormone receptor–positive breast cancers that respond well to standard treatments are unlikely to benefit from these specific tubulin-targeting compounds.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, these compounds could provide more durable tumor control and overcome resistance in aggressive, taxane-refractory breast cancers.
How similar studies have performed: Standard taxane drugs (like paclitaxel) are effective in many breast cancers, but this dual apoptosis/senescence approach and these discodermolide-derived molecules are mostly at the preclinical, novel stage.
Where this research is happening
Bronx, United States
- Albert Einstein College of Medicine — Bronx, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mcdaid, Hayley M. — Albert Einstein College of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Mcdaid, Hayley M.
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.