Targeting lipid metabolism to improve treatment for HER2+ breast cancer that has spread to the brain
Official title: Improving treatment of HER2+ breast cancer brain metastasis by targeting lipid metabolism
Funded at Massachusetts General Hospital · NIH-11079642 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how to make treatments work better for people with HER2 positive breast cancer that has spread to the brain by finding ways to block the cancer cells' use of fats to grow, which could help existing therapies be more effective.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts General Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | May 1, 2021 |
| Project end | April 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $468,333 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA259253-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11079642 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with HER2 positive breast cancer who have developed brain metastases.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with HER2 negative breast cancer or those without brain metastases may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on patients with HER2 positive breast cancer, which often spreads to the brain, creating significant treatment challenges due to barriers that limit drug delivery. The study investigates how breast cancer cells rely on lipid metabolism to grow in the brain and aims to disrupt this process to enhance the effectiveness of existing HER2-targeted therapies. By using preclinical models, the researchers will explore the potential of targeting lipid synthesis to improve treatment outcomes for patients with brain metastases. The goal is to identify new strategies that can overcome the limitations posed by the blood-brain barrier and enhance drug efficacy in the brain environment.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective treatments for patients with HER2+ breast cancer that has metastasized to the brain.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in targeting metabolic pathways in cancer treatment, suggesting that this approach could be effective, although it is still a relatively novel area of investigation.
Where this research is happening
-
Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Jain, Rakesh K. — Massachusetts General Hospital
- Study coordinator: Jain, Rakesh K.
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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.