Stopping Breast Cancer from Becoming Resistant to Treatment
Preventing adaptive drug resistance through Mediator kinase inhibition
['FUNDING_R01'] · UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA AT COLUMBIA · NIH-11131227
This work explores new ways to keep breast cancer treatments working longer by targeting a specific process in cancer cells.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA AT COLUMBIA (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (COLUMBIA, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11131227 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
Many cancer treatments stop working over time because cancer cells learn to adapt and resist the drugs. This project looks at how to prevent HER2-positive breast cancer cells from becoming resistant to common treatments like lapatinib and paclitaxel. Researchers are focusing on a specific control system within cancer cells, called Mediator kinase, which helps these cells change and become resistant. By blocking this Mediator kinase, the hope is to stop cancer cells from developing new ways to grow and spread, making current therapies more effective.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Patients with HER2-positive breast cancer who experience or are at risk of developing drug resistance might benefit from future treatments based on this work.
Not a fit: Patients with cancer types other than HER2-positive breast cancer, or those whose resistance mechanisms are unrelated to Mediator kinase, may not directly benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could lead to new strategies to make breast cancer treatments more effective and prevent relapse.
How similar studies have performed: Experimental drugs targeting CDK8/19 Mediator kinase have shown promise in suppressing resistance to various anticancer agents in prior work.
Where this research is happening
COLUMBIA, UNITED STATES
- UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA AT COLUMBIA — COLUMBIA, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: CHEN, MENGQIAN — UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA AT COLUMBIA
- Study coordinator: CHEN, MENGQIAN
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.
Conditions: Anti-Cancer Agents, Breast Cancer, Breast Cancer cell line