Stable, potent peptide drug conjugate for treating triple-negative breast cancer
Official title: Stable, highly potent and safe lead peptide drug conjugate for the treatment of triple-negative breast cancer.
Funded at Oncotherapy Solutions, LLC · NIH-11402095 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new peptide-based drug conjugate is being developed to target hard-to-treat triple-negative breast cancer in patients who may benefit from targeted cytotoxic therapy.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 1 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Oncotherapy Solutions, LLC NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | September 17, 2026 |
| Project end | September 14, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $400,000 |
| NIH project number | 1R43CA306418-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11402095 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with triple-negative breast cancer whose tumors express the LHRH receptor may be eligible in future trials.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without LHRH receptor-positive tumors or those not suited for this modality may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project aims to improve delivery of a toxic payload to cancer cells that express the LHRH receptor, using a stable linker to enhance efficacy and safety. Researchers will test novel drug conjugates in preclinical models and in early development studies to optimize stability, potency, and tumor targeting. If successful, this work could lead to future clinical trials for patients with TNBC who express LHRH receptors. The collaboration involves ONCOTHERAPY SOLUTIONS, LLC, and focuses on translating lab findings into a therapy that selectively attacks cancer cells while minimizing harm to healthy tissue.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients with TNBC could receive a targeted therapy that delivers chemotherapy directly to tumor cells, potentially improving response and reducing side effects.
How similar studies have gone: Earlier LHRH-drug conjugates showed some activity but had limitations; this project aims to overcome those hurdles with more stable, potent conjugates and improved safety.
Where this research is happening
-
Oncotherapy Solutions, LLC
Seattle, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lamharzi, Najib — Oncotherapy Solutions, LLC
- Study coordinator: Lamharzi, Najib
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Genomic study to understand how genetics and epigenetics shape triple-negative breast cancer in African ancestry
This study looks at how inherited genes and gene activity affect triple-negative breast cancer in people of African ancestry to better understand why outcomes can be worse.
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Co-Targeting IL-6 and CDK4/6 to Prevent TNBC in Women Veterans
A study aims to block two cancer-promoting pathways (IL-6 and CDK4/6) to prevent or reduce progression of triple-negative breast cancer in women veterans.
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Linking heavy metal exposure to a tougher breast cancer type (TNBC)
Aimed at understanding how heavy metals like cadmium might trigger a dangerous breast cancer type (TNBC) in people, especially those with BRCA1 risk, to identify possible future treatment strategies.
-
Dormancy in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer: How Liver and Skin Metastases Go Quiet or Reactivate
Researchers will study how dormant cancer cells in liver and skin metastases of triple-negative breast cancer become quiescent or wake up, using organ-on-chip models and single-cell analysis to map chromatin states.
-
Rac-enhanced CAR-Macrophages against TNBC
A new cell therapy approach uses engineered macrophages with a CAR and Rac2 activation to target and kill triple-negative breast cancer cells expressing CSPG4.
-
A new peptide therapy to help treat metastatic triple-negative breast cancer
A new peptide therapy called PEG-FUD is being tested to help treat metastatic triple-negative breast cancer by normalizing the tumor environment to improve treatment delivery.
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.