Preventing breast cancer from spreading after treatment
Prevention of post-therapy breast cancer metastasis
This study is looking at how a common drug called disulfiram, when paired with copper, can help stop breast cancer from spreading in patients who have early-stage breast cancer, especially those whose cancer might be tougher to treat.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts General Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10606639 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research focuses on addressing the challenge of breast cancer metastasis that occurs in 30-40% of patients after standard therapies. It investigates the role of breast cancer stem cells (BCSC) that are resistant to conventional treatments and can be reprogrammed by therapies into more aggressive forms. The study explores the use of disulfiram, an FDA-approved drug, in combination with copper to target these resistant cells and prevent the formation of new metastases. By understanding how these treatments affect BCSC, the research aims to improve outcomes for patients with early-stage breast cancer.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer who are undergoing standard therapies.
Not a fit: Patients with advanced-stage breast cancer or those who have already developed metastases may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly reduce the risk of breast cancer metastasis and improve survival rates for patients.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown promising results using similar approaches to target cancer stem cells, indicating potential for success in this research.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Massachusetts General Hospital — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wang, Xinhui — Massachusetts General Hospital
- Study coordinator: Wang, Xinhui
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.