Prolactin signaling and brain metastasis in HER2-positive breast cancer
Official title: A novel function of prolactin signaling in brain metastasis in HER2-positive breast cancer
Funded at Columbia University Health Sciences · NIH-11434654 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are studying how prolactin signals help HER2-positive breast cancer cells grow in the brain, with the goal of finding new ideas to prevent brain metastases.
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 start | August 1, 2026 |
| Project end | July 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $448,017 |
| NIH project number | 1R01CA316649-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11434654 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with HER2-positive breast cancer who are at risk for or have brain metastases may indirectly benefit from future therapies derived from this work.
✕Less likely to help
Current patients without brain metastases or without the prolactin signaling axis involvement may not directly benefit from these findings at this stage.
What this research studies
This project uses new mouse models that mimic human HER2-positive breast cancer spreading to the brain to understand how the cancer interacts with the brain’s environment. It identifies a tumor–pituitary–prolactin axis and a PRLR–SRC–p70S6K signaling pathway that may drive brain metastasis. By depleting prolactin receptor signaling in cancer models, the work evaluates whether stopping this pathway can slow brain tumor growth without harming the original tumor. The findings could point to targeted therapies aimed at the brain metastasis niche in patients with HER2-positive disease.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments that specifically slow or prevent breast cancer spread to the brain and improve survival for patients with HER2-positive disease.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies in cancer models have shown that targeting specific signaling pathways can reduce brain metastases, supporting a cautious optimism for this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Columbia University Health Sciences
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Acharyya, Swarnali — Columbia University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Acharyya, Swarnali
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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.