Stopping triple-negative breast cancer spread by targeting EYA3 and PP2A
Official title: Deciphering the role of EYA3/PP2A in triple negative breast cancer metastasis
Funded at University of Colorado Denver · NIH-11290382 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are exploring whether blocking the EYA3/PP2A pathway can prevent triple-negative breast cancer from spreading and help the immune system fight the tumor.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Colorado Denver NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Aurora, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | March 1, 2025 |
| Project end | February 28, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $647,118 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA301267-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11290382 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with triple-negative breast cancer, especially those with metastatic disease or tumors showing high EYA3/PP2A activity, would be most relevant.
✕Less likely to help
People with hormone receptor–positive or HER2‑positive breast cancers are unlikely to benefit directly from findings focused specifically on triple-negative disease.
What this research studies
Researchers will focus on a protein called EYA3 and its partner PP2A, which are often higher in triple-negative breast tumors and may help cancer cells spread. They will use patient tumor samples, cell models, and mouse models to see how this pathway affects tumor growth, metastasis, and the activity of CD8+ immune cells and PD-L1. The team will test whether changing EYA3/PP2A activity reduces metastatic behavior and makes tumors more vulnerable to immune attack. Findings could point to new drug targets or combination approaches to improve outcomes for people with TNBC.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new therapies that slow or stop metastasis and improve immune-based treatments for people with triple-negative breast cancer.
How similar studies have gone: Some preclinical and early immunotherapy work in TNBC supports targeting immune pathways, but targeting EYA3/PP2A is a novel approach with promising laboratory data rather than established patient success.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Colorado Denver
Aurora, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ford, Heide L. — University of Colorado Denver
- Study coordinator: Ford, Heide L.
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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Understanding how high triglycerides may fuel certain breast cancers
High triglycerides may help triple negative breast cancer grow and spread, and this study looks at how that could happen in patients and models.
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How low PHGDH changes sugar metabolism to help triple‑negative breast cancer spread
This project looks at how low levels of the enzyme PHGDH change sialic acid sugar metabolism in ways that help triple‑negative breast cancer cells spread.
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Stable, ultra‑high affinity peptides that block EphB4 to stop triple‑negative breast cancer from spreading
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.
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How high triglycerides may help triple negative breast cancer grow and spread
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
This study is looking at how a protein called EYA3, which is found in high amounts in triple negative breast cancer, works with another protein, PP2A, to see how they affect cancer spread and the immune system, with the hope of finding new treatment options for this tough-to-treat cancer.
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.