UBR5's role in aggressive breast cancer and immune evasion

UBR5's mechanisms of action in tumorigenesis and immunoregulation

NIH-funded research Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ · NIH-11284035

Researchers are looking at how a protein called UBR5 helps aggressive breast cancers grow and hide from the immune system to find new treatment targets for patients.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionWeill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (New York, United States)
Project IDNIH-11284035 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

From a patient perspective, the team is tracking how UBR5 changes cancer cell behavior and how tumors interact with the immune system. They will use lab-grown cancer cells, animal models, and analyses of human tumor samples to see how UBR5 controls proteins like CDC73 and increases immune-suppressing signals such as PDL1. The work aims to map the pathways UBR5 controls so researchers can spot potential drug targets, especially for hard-to-treat triple-negative breast cancer. Clinical data linking UBR5 alterations to worse outcomes will be combined with these lab findings to guide translational directions.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Patients with aggressive breast cancer—particularly triple-negative tumors or tumors shown to have UBR5 amplification or overexpression—would be the most relevant candidates to contribute samples or be considered for future trials.

Not a fit: People with cancers that do not show UBR5 changes or those seeking immediate therapeutic benefit are unlikely to gain direct clinical benefit from this basic/translational research now.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new targets or strategies that lead to therapies for aggressive or treatment-resistant breast cancers.

How similar studies have performed: Prior laboratory and animal studies by this group and others have shown UBR5 can drive tumor growth, but translating UBR5-targeting approaches into patient therapies remains largely untested.

Where this research is happening

New York, 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 Cancer
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.