Targeting mechanical stress and immune suppression in aggressive breast cancer
Official title: ATR: targeting mechanical stress induced EMT and immune suppression in triple negative breast cancer
Funded at Mayo Clinic Rochester · NIH-10892917 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how the pressure around triple negative breast cancer tumors can help the cancer grow and avoid the immune system, and it aims to find new ways to treat this type of cancer that might work better for patients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Mayo Clinic Rochester NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Rochester, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $350,743 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA272602-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10892917 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer, particularly those who have not responded to standard therapies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with non-triple negative breast cancer or those who have already achieved remission may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how mechanical stress in the tumor environment contributes to the progression of triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) by promoting a process called epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT). The study aims to understand the role of the ATR protein in this process and how it affects the cancer's ability to evade the immune system. By exploring the interactions between cancer cells and their surrounding environment, the research seeks to identify new therapeutic strategies to overcome resistance to existing treatments. Patients may be involved in trials that test these new approaches to improve outcomes for TNBC.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments that improve survival rates for patients with triple negative breast cancer.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in targeting similar mechanisms in cancer, suggesting that this approach may be effective.
Where this research is happening
-
Mayo Clinic Rochester
Rochester, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mutter, Robert W — Mayo Clinic Rochester
- Study coordinator: Mutter, Robert W
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.
-
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.
-
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.