Targeting mitochondrial energy in triple-negative breast cancer that remains after chemo
Metabolic adaptation in residual triple negative breast cancer following chemotherapy
This work looks at whether blocking a tumor's mitochondrial energy program can help people with triple-negative breast cancer whose tumors remain after chemotherapy.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R37 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Baylor College of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11238042 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
I would be asked to provide tumor biopsy samples taken before and after pre-surgery chemotherapy so researchers can compare energy-related changes. The team grows patient-derived tumors in models and measures mitochondrial proteins and structure, especially the fusion protein OPA1, to see how leftover cancer cells change after chemo. They test drugs and genetic approaches that shut down oxidative phosphorylation or alter mitochondrial fusion to see if resistant cells can be killed. The aim is to find ways to eliminate residual TNBC that puts patients at high risk of recurrence.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with triple-negative breast cancer who still have measurable residual tumor after neoadjuvant (pre-surgery) chemotherapy, especially those without BRCA mutations, would be the best fit.
Not a fit: Patients whose cancer is not triple-negative or who had a complete response to chemotherapy (no residual tumor) are unlikely to benefit from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could lead to new treatments that kill chemotherapy-resistant triple-negative breast cancer cells and reduce the chance of the cancer coming back.
How similar studies have performed: Preclinical studies and patient-derived tumor models have shown that oxidative phosphorylation can drive resistance and may be targetable, but clinical testing of this exact approach is still limited.
Where this research is happening
Houston, United States
- Baylor College of Medicine — Houston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Echeverria, Gloria Vittone — Baylor College of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Echeverria, Gloria Vittone
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.