NIH-funded research R21 grant

Targeting RNA modifications to change breast cancer behavior

Official title: Disrupting long noncoding RNA methylation to elicit antimorph behavior in breast cancer

Funded at University of Colorado Denver · NIH-10818526 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is looking at how changing certain tiny parts of RNA in breast cancer can help turn them from promoting cancer to fighting it, which could lead to new treatments that help patients like you.

Quick facts

Grant typeR21 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Colorado Denver
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Aurora, UNITED STATES)
Project startMay 1, 2023
Project endAugust 31, 2025
Funding year2024
Award (this year)$207,185
NIH project number5R21CA270573-02
Project IDNIH-10818526 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with breast cancer, particularly those with specific LncRNA profiles.

Less likely to help

Patients with non-breast cancer malignancies or those whose cancer does not involve the targeted LncRNAs may not benefit from this research.

What this research studies

This research investigates how specific long noncoding RNAs (LncRNAs) in breast cancer can be modified to switch their role from promoting cancer to suppressing it. By focusing on a single nucleotide mutation that prevents RNA methylation, the study aims to enhance the expression of a converted LncRNA that can reduce cancer characteristics more effectively than simply removing the cancer-promoting RNA. The researchers will explore this novel therapeutic approach to disrupt the m6A methylation pathway, potentially leading to new treatments for breast cancer. Patients may benefit from insights that could translate into innovative therapies targeting these RNA modifications.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatment strategies that effectively reduce breast cancer progression by modifying RNA behavior.

How similar studies have gone: While the approach of targeting RNA modifications is relatively novel, preliminary findings suggest that similar strategies have shown promise in other cancer types.

Where this research is happening

  • University of Colorado Denver
    Aurora, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Johnson, Aaron M. — University of Colorado Denver
  • Study coordinator: Johnson, Aaron M.

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.