Pregnancy, breastfeeding, and immune changes in postpartum breast cancer
The Tumor Microenvironment and Lymphatic Remodeling in Postpartum Breast Cancer
This research tests whether breast changes after pregnancy make postpartum breast cancer more aggressive and whether breastfeeding or common anti-inflammatory medicines might lower that risk for women who recently gave birth.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Columbia University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11473210 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers at Columbia will study tumors and nearby breast tissue from women diagnosed with breast cancer after pregnancy to measure lymphatic growth, inflammation, and immune cell patterns. They will compare cases from women who breastfed versus those who stopped early and use laboratory models to see how early weaning changes the breast environment. The team will also test whether common anti-inflammatory drugs like NSAIDs affect the tumor microenvironment in ways that could reduce tumor spread. Findings will be used to improve risk prediction and suggest strategies to reduce aggressive postpartum breast cancer.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Women diagnosed with breast cancer within about 10 years after giving birth, especially younger women or those who stopped breastfeeding early, would be most relevant to this work.
Not a fit: People whose breast cancer is not linked to a recent pregnancy (for example, cancers diagnosed long after childbirth or in people who were never pregnant) are less likely to benefit directly from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could identify who is at higher risk of aggressive postpartum breast cancer and point to practical steps—like breastfeeding guidance or anti-inflammatory treatments—that might lower that risk or inform therapy.
How similar studies have performed: Some observational and lab studies have suggested breastfeeding and NSAID use might lower postpartum breast cancer risk, but the evidence is limited and not yet proven in large clinical studies.
Where this research is happening
New York, United States
- Columbia University Health Sciences — New York, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mcdonald, Jasmine Alise — Columbia University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Mcdonald, Jasmine Alise
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.