Targeting NNMT to stop triple-negative breast cancer spread
Identification of NNMT as a New Target to Treat Triple-negative Breast Cancer
This project tests whether blocking the enzyme NNMT can make triple-negative breast cancer cells die and stop them from spreading.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Kentucky NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Lexington, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11314565 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers are focused on an enzyme called NNMT that helps triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cells survive the stress of detaching and spreading. In lab-grown cells and animal models they found that removing NNMT raises harmful reactive oxygen species and triggers ferroptosis, reducing tumor growth and metastasis. The team has developed a specific NNMT inhibitor and will study how well it lowers NAD(P)+ and glutathione levels and prevents cancer cell survival and spread in preclinical experiments. If these findings hold, the work could guide development of new drugs to block metastasis in TNBC.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with triple-negative breast cancer, particularly those at high risk for recurrence or metastatic disease, would be the most relevant candidates for future trials based on this work.
Not a fit: Patients with other breast cancer subtypes (hormone receptor–positive or HER2‑positive) or whose tumors do not rely on NNMT are unlikely to benefit from NNMT-targeted approaches.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could lead to new treatments that prevent metastasis and improve survival for people with triple-negative breast cancer.
How similar studies have performed: Early laboratory and animal studies support targeting tumor metabolism to slow growth and spread, but NNMT-specific inhibitors are largely preclinical and have not yet been tested in people.
Where this research is happening
Lexington, United States
- University of Kentucky — Lexington, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zhou, Binhua P — University of Kentucky
- Study coordinator: Zhou, Binhua P
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.