New Ways to Target Androgen Receptors in Breast Cancer That Doesn't Respond to Standard Treatment
Targeting Constitutively Active SUMO Modified Androgen Receptors in Endocrine Resistant Breast Cancer
This project explores new ways to treat breast cancer that has become resistant to standard hormone therapy by focusing on a specific protein called the androgen receptor.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Houston NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11093581 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Many patients with the most common type of hormone receptor-positive breast cancer find that their standard hormone therapy stops working, leading to metastatic disease. When this happens, the cancer often switches to relying on a different protein, the androgen receptor (AR), to grow. Unfortunately, existing anti-androgen medicines don't always work because the AR becomes constantly active and resists these treatments. This project aims to understand a specific change to the AR, called SUMO modification, that makes it constantly active in these resistant breast cancer cells. Researchers have identified a new way to target and destabilize this modified AR, hoping to develop effective treatments to prevent the spread of breast cancer that no longer responds to standard hormone therapy.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This research is most relevant for patients with hormone receptor-positive breast cancer that has become resistant to standard endocrine therapy.
Not a fit: Patients with breast cancer types that are not hormone receptor-positive or have not developed resistance to endocrine therapy may not directly benefit from this specific approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new and effective treatments for patients whose breast cancer no longer responds to traditional hormone therapy.
How similar studies have performed: While anti-androgens show promise in other breast cancer types, this project explores a novel mechanism to overcome resistance in a specific subtype where current anti-androgens are ineffective.
Where this research is happening
Houston, United States
- University of Houston — Houston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bawa-Khalfe, Tasneem — University of Houston
- Study coordinator: Bawa-Khalfe, Tasneem
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.