SELENOF and breast cancer disparities in African American women
SELENOF is a Novel Tumor Suppressor and a New Target to Overcome Health Disparity in Breast Cancer
Researchers are finding out whether low levels of the protein SELENOF help drive worse breast cancer outcomes in African American women and whether restoring SELENOF can slow tumor growth.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Loyola University Chicago NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Maywood, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11162364 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you take part or follow this research, the team will compare SELENOF gene changes and protein levels in breast tumors from African American and other patients to look for links to poorer outcomes. They'll use lab-grown breast cells, 3D cell cultures, and mouse models to see how losing SELENOF affects cell growth, survival, and response to therapies. The researchers will study eIF4a3, a molecule that limits SELENOF production, and test ways to boost SELENOF or block its repressor. The goal is to find treatments that make tumors die more easily or respond better to existing therapies.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with breast cancer—especially African American women or anyone whose tumor shows low SELENOF levels or SELENOF-related genetic variants—would be the main candidates for related trials or sample donation.
Not a fit: People without breast cancer or whose tumors have normal SELENOF levels or clearly different drivers of disease may not directly benefit from these findings.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to treatments that restore or mimic SELENOF function and improve therapy response and survival, particularly for African American women with breast cancer.
How similar studies have performed: Early laboratory and animal studies reported by the team and others suggest restoring SELENOF can slow tumor growth and increase therapy sensitivity, but translating this into patient treatments is still new.
Where this research is happening
Maywood, United States
- Loyola University Chicago — Maywood, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kastrati, Irida — Loyola University Chicago
- Study coordinator: Kastrati, Irida
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.