Targeting LY6K with NSC243928 to boost immune response in TNBC
Official title: Mechanisms of LY6K-NSC243928 action in anti-tumor immune response in triple negative breast cancer
Funded at Henry M. Jackson Fdn for the Adv Mil/med · NIH-11376198 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A cancer-focused study aims to find a new way to help people with triple negative breast cancer by using a small molecule that may boost the body’s immune attack on tumors.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Henry M. Jackson Fdn for the Adv Mil/med NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Bethesda, United States) |
| Project start | August 3, 2018 |
| Project end | August 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $436,022 |
| NIH project number | 2R01CA227694-06A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11376198 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are adults with triple negative breast cancer expressing LY6K who may be eligible for future immune-based therapies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with TNBC lacking LY6K expression or those not eligible for immune-based strategies may see limited benefit.
What this research studies
This project centers on TNBC, a aggressive breast cancer lacking targeted treatments. Researchers are exploring how NSC243928 binds LY6K, a protein found on many TNBC tumors, to enhance anti-tumor immunity and may affect how the tumor interacts with immune cells. The work builds on prior findings and uses molecular and immune-system analyses to understand how LY6K targeting changes tumor biology and chromatin. Outcomes could point to a new therapeutic approach that works with the immune system to control tumor growth in patients with TNBC.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to a new immunotherapy approach for TNBC that may improve survival and quality of life.
How similar studies have gone: Past work has shown LY6K is highly expressed in many TNBC samples and that targeting it with NSC243928 has anti-tumor effects in preclinical models, supporting further exploration.
Where this research is happening
-
Henry M. Jackson Fdn for the Adv Mil/med
Bethesda, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Upadhyay, Geeta — Henry M. Jackson Fdn for the Adv Mil/med
- Study coordinator: Upadhyay, Geeta
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.
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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.