Targeting chemical changes on MYC in aggressive luminal B breast cancer
Full Project 1
This project looks at whether blocking specific chemical tags on the MYC protein can slow or stop aggressive, treatment‑resistant luminal B breast cancers.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California Riverside NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Riverside, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11179208 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will study breast tumor samples and lab models to learn how three specific MYC sites (K149, K158, K323) are modified by acetylation and how those changes help tumors grow. They will identify the proteins that add and read these acetyl marks—such as p300, GCN5, PIN1, and YEATS2—and test how altering those interactions affects cancer cells. The work combines analyses of patient biopsy specimens, cell-based experiments, and animal models to trace the pathway from MYC acetylation to aggressive tumor behavior. The team aims to find druggable partners in this pathway that could be targeted without disrupting MYC’s normal roles.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Patients with luminal B breast cancer (ER positive, HER2‑normal, high Ki‑67), especially those whose tumors are aggressive or not responding to standard treatments, would be most relevant.
Not a fit: People with other breast cancer subtypes (for example HER2‑positive or triple‑negative) or low‑risk luminal A cancers are less likely to benefit directly from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could reveal new drug targets to treat aggressive, therapy‑resistant luminal B breast cancers and improve outcomes for those patients.
How similar studies have performed: Directly targeting MYC in patients has largely failed, but preliminary lab data for this acetylation‑focused approach are promising though not yet tested clinically.
Where this research is happening
Riverside, United States
- University of California Riverside — Riverside, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Martinez, Ernest — University of California Riverside
- Study coordinator: Martinez, Ernest
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.