Stable, ultra‑high affinity peptides that block EphB4 to stop triple‑negative breast cancer from spreading
Official title: Stable & Picomolar-Affinity Peptides Targeting Ephb4 to Prevent Metastasis in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
Funded at Texas Southern University · NIH-11234607 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Designer peptides that latch onto the EphB4 protein are being developed to try to stop triple‑negative breast cancer from spreading, with attention to the higher risk seen in African American women.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Texas Southern University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 1986 |
| Project end | May 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $248,389 |
| NIH project number | 2U54MD007605-32 |
| Project ID | NIH-11234607 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with triple‑negative breast cancer, particularly those whose tumors show EphB4 expression and African American women at higher risk, are the intended candidates for this approach.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with non‑triple‑negative breast cancers, tumors lacking EphB4 activity, or those not receiving systemic therapy are unlikely to benefit from this specific strategy.
What this research studies
This project is creating very stable peptides that bind the EphB4 receptor with picomolar strength to alter signaling between tumor cells and tumor blood vessels. The goal is to activate tumor‑suppressing signals in cancer cells while blocking pro‑metastatic signals in the tumor endothelium. Researchers will refine peptide chemistry for stability and potency, test effects in cell cultures and animal models of triple‑negative breast cancer, and prepare for later human testing. The team explicitly notes the higher incidence and worse outcomes of TNBC in African American women and aims to address that disparity.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, these peptides could reduce or prevent metastasis in triple‑negative breast cancer and improve survival while offering a more targeted option than standard chemotherapy.
How similar studies have gone: Related EphB4‑targeting peptides such as B4‑007 have shown promising anti‑metastatic effects in laboratory and animal studies, but human clinical testing remains limited.
Where this research is happening
-
Texas Southern University
Houston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Liang, Dong — Texas Southern University
- Study coordinator: Liang, Dong
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Stable, ultra-tight peptides to block EphB4 and stop TNBC spread
A new peptide-based approach aims to block a cancer molecule called EphB4 to prevent metastasis in triple-negative breast cancer, especially in African American women.
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Researchers are looking at whether high blood triglyceride levels make triple negative breast cancer grow and spread faster, which could point to ways to help women with TNBC.
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Understanding how EYA3 and PP2A contribute to the spread of triple negative breast cancer
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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.