Testing a new treatment for breast cancer that resists hormone therapy

Pre-clinical testing the effects of MALT1 inhibitor on endocrine resistant breast cancer

NIH-funded research Saint Louis University · NIH-10579334

This study is looking at how a new treatment that blocks a protein called MALT1 might help women with breast cancer that doesn't respond to hormone therapy, especially those with estrogen receptor-positive cancer, by potentially making their tumors more sensitive to the medication tamoxifen.

Quick facts

Grant typeR21 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionSaint Louis University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Saint Louis, United States)
Project IDNIH-10579334 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates the effects of a MALT1 inhibitor on breast cancer that is resistant to endocrine therapy, particularly in estrogen receptor-positive cases. The study aims to understand how blocking MALT1 can inhibit the growth of tamoxifen-resistant breast tumor cells and potentially restore their sensitivity to tamoxifen. By focusing on this specific target, the research seeks to develop new treatment strategies for patients who have not responded to standard hormone therapies. The approach includes pre-clinical testing to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of the MALT1 inhibitor in laboratory settings before considering clinical trials.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are women with estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer who have developed resistance to endocrine therapy.

Not a fit: Patients with breast cancer that is not estrogen receptor-positive or those who have not undergone endocrine therapy may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatment options for patients with hormone-resistant breast cancer, improving their chances of survival.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research targeting MALT1 in other cancers has shown promise, suggesting that this approach may also be effective in breast cancer treatment.

Where this research is happening

Saint Louis, United States

Researchers

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 below.
Conditions Breast CancerDiseaseDisorder
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 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.