New treatment targeting the environment around tumors in inflammatory breast cancer

Development of a novel therapy targeting the tumor microenvironment in inflammatory breast cancer

NIH-funded research University of Hawaii at Manoa · NIH-10930921

This study is looking at how the environment around tumors in inflammatory breast cancer affects the success of certain treatments, and it aims to see if combining a specific therapy with chemotherapy can help make the treatment work better for patients.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Hawaii at Manoa NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Honolulu, United States)
Project IDNIH-10930921 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates how the tumor microenvironment (TME) affects the effectiveness of immune checkpoint inhibitors in treating inflammatory breast cancer (IBC). The team will explore the role of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in creating an immunosuppressive environment that hinders treatment response. By combining anti-EGFR therapy with chemotherapy, they aim to shift the TME towards a more immunoreactive state, potentially improving patient outcomes. The research will involve both laboratory models and clinical trials to assess the effectiveness of this novel approach.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with inflammatory breast cancer, particularly those who have not responded well to existing therapies.

Not a fit: Patients with non-inflammatory breast cancer or those who have already exhausted all treatment options may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective treatments for patients with inflammatory breast cancer, improving survival rates.

How similar studies have performed: While the approach of targeting the tumor microenvironment is gaining interest, this specific investigation into EGFR's role in IBC is novel and has not been extensively tested in prior studies.

Where this research is happening

Honolulu, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions Animal Cancer ModelBreast CancerBreast Cancer ModelBreast Cancer Patient
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.