Targeted MDM2 Degraders for Better Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Therapy
Official title: Targeted MDM2 degradation for improved treatment for triple-negative breast cancer
Funded at University of Tennessee Health Sci Ctr · NIH-11385538 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new option for people with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) aims to degrade the MDM2 protein to improve treatment outcomes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Tennessee Health Sci Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Memphis, United States) |
| Project start | August 7, 2025 |
| Project end | July 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $645,060 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA295996-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11385538 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with triple-negative breast cancer, particularly those whose tumors overexpress MDM2, could benefit from future trials.
✕Less likely to help
Patients whose tumors do not rely on MDM2 or do not respond to MDM2 degrader strategies may not benefit.
What this research studies
This grant focuses on creating a first-in-class MDM2 degrader that can more effectively fight TNBC by binding to the MDM2 RING domain. Researchers will optimize the CH175 compound to increase how well it binds MDM2 and how potent it is against TNBC in preclinical models. The work involves structure-based design, chemical optimization, and screening of new CH175 analogs to move toward a potential future clinical candidate. If successful, this approach could offer a novel therapy for TNBC patients who currently have limited targeted options.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to a new targeted therapy that improves outcomes for TNBC patients.
How similar studies have gone: Preclinical studies have shown tumor regression with MDM2 degraders in TNBC models, suggesting potential but not yet proven in humans.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Tennessee Health Sci Ctr
Memphis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Li, Wei — University of Tennessee Health Sci Ctr
- Study coordinator: Li, Wei
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.
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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.
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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.