Platelet-aided immunotherapy for triple-negative breast cancer
Improving the platelet-mediated immune checkpoint inhibitor delivery for treating triple-negative breast cancer
Researchers are using platelets to carry PD-L1 blocking drugs directly to triple-negative breast tumors to help the immune system attack them.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Wisconsin-Madison NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Madison, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11252603 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project improves a therapy that loads immune checkpoint blockers onto platelets so they concentrate at tumor sites and release drugs when platelets activate. The team will use mouse models of triple-negative breast cancer to increase platelet delivery by causing small, local blood clots at the tumor and by reducing immune-suppressing tumor macrophages. They plan to test peritumoral or systemic delivery of a truncated tissue factor (tTF-RGD) to attract the platelet carriers and combine this with approaches that deplete tumor-associated macrophages. The work builds on prior success in post-surgical tumor models and aims to make the approach work better against intact, non-immunogenic tumors.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with triple-negative breast cancer could potentially benefit in the future, especially those facing high risk of local recurrence or limited options from standard therapies.
Not a fit: Patients with other breast cancer subtypes or those seeking an available clinical treatment now are unlikely to benefit during the current preclinical phase.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could deliver immune therapy more directly to triple-negative breast tumors and improve immune-driven tumor control.
How similar studies have performed: Earlier animal studies of platelet-based delivery and PD-L1 blockade have shown promising results in limiting tumor recurrence after surgery, but clinical benefit in people has not yet been established.
Where this research is happening
Madison, United States
- University of Wisconsin-Madison — Madison, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hu, Quanyin — University of Wisconsin-Madison
- Study coordinator: Hu, Quanyin
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.