Safer NMDA‑targeting antibodies for triple‑negative breast cancer
Optimizing Anti-NMDAR Antibodies for Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Therapy
Developing new antibodies that target NMDA receptors to kill triple‑negative breast cancer cells while avoiding harmful brain side effects.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cold Spring Harbor, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11321259 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a patient's perspective, researchers are trying to create antibodies that stick to NMDA receptors found on many triple‑negative breast cancer tumors and kill those cancer cells. They will use high‑resolution imaging (single‑particle cryo‑EM) to spot structural changes in the receptor that link antibodies to dangerous brain inflammation and then select antibodies that avoid those changes. Promising candidates will be tested in engineered mouse breast cancer models that mimic NMDA‑positive tumors to check for tumor killing and safety. The goal is to find antibody designs that could move toward human testing without causing the neurological problems seen with some anti‑NMDA immune responses.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with triple‑negative breast cancer whose tumors show high NMDA receptor expression would be the most likely future candidates for these therapies.
Not a fit: Patients whose tumors do not express NMDA receptors, those with other breast cancer subtypes, or those needing immediate standard treatments are unlikely to benefit directly from this preclinical project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to antibody treatments that shrink or eliminate NMDA‑positive triple‑negative breast tumors without causing severe neurological toxicity.
How similar studies have performed: Laboratory and clinical reports show anti‑NMDAR antibodies can kill tumor cells but have caused severe brain inflammation, so this project is novel in trying to separate anti‑tumor action from neurological harm.
Where this research is happening
Cold Spring Harbor, United States
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory — Cold Spring Harbor, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Janowitz, Tobias — Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
- Study coordinator: Janowitz, Tobias
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.