New ways to prevent estrogen receptor negative breast cancer
Official title: Exploring novel strategies for immunoprevention of estrogen receptor negative breast cancer
Funded at University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr · NIH-11019827 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at new ways to help prevent estrogen receptor negative (ER-) breast cancer by boosting the immune system with natural vitamin E, which could work well with other cancer treatments to improve outcomes for patients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project start | February 1, 2023 |
| Project end | January 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $473,860 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA270010-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11019827 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are women at high risk for developing estrogen receptor negative breast cancer.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with estrogen receptor positive breast cancer or those who do not have a high risk for breast cancer may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing innovative strategies to prevent estrogen receptor negative (ER-) breast cancer, which currently lacks effective prevention methods. The approach involves enhancing the immune response against tumors by stimulating dendritic cells, which play a crucial role in initiating anti-tumor immunity. The researchers have identified natural vitamin E as a potential enhancer of dendritic cell function, showing promising results in mouse models and suggesting that it may improve patient outcomes when combined with immunotherapy. By exploring dietary supplements and their effects on immune activation, this research aims to provide safer and more effective prevention strategies for ER- breast cancer.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new prevention strategies that significantly improve survival rates for patients at risk of ER- breast cancer.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results with similar approaches, particularly in the use of dietary supplements to enhance immune responses in cancer treatment.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr
Houston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Yu, Dihua — University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr
- Study coordinator: Yu, Dihua
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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.