Targeting a specific protein to stop breast cancer spread
Official title: Modulating growth, progression and metastasis in breast cancer by inhibiting MDA-9
Funded at Virginia Commonwealth University · NIH-10803947 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a protein called MDA-9 affects the spread of aggressive triple negative breast cancer and is testing a new drug, PDZ1i, to see if it can help stop the cancer from spreading and work better with current chemotherapy, which could lead to new treatment options for patients with advanced breast cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Virginia Commonwealth University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Richmond, United States) |
| Project start | August 12, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $622,329 |
| NIH project number | 1R01CA280194-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10803947 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with metastatic triple negative breast cancer who are seeking new treatment options.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with early-stage breast cancer or those whose cancer is not triple negative may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the role of a protein called MDA-9 in the spread of metastatic triple negative breast cancer (TNBC). By developing a small molecule inhibitor known as PDZ1i, the researchers aim to prevent cancer cells from spreading and enhance the effectiveness of existing chemotherapy treatments. The study will involve experiments to understand how PDZ1i works and how it can be optimized for clinical use, potentially leading to new treatment options for patients with advanced breast cancer.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a novel therapeutic approach that significantly improves survival rates for patients with metastatic breast cancer.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown promising results in targeting MDA-9 to inhibit cancer metastasis, indicating a potential for success in this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Fisher, Paul B — Virginia Commonwealth University
- Study coordinator: Fisher, Paul B
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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.