Understanding and Fighting Aggressive Breast Cancer Cells
Targeting Metabolic Vulnerabilities of Triple Negative Breast Cancer Stem Cells
This research looks for new ways to stop aggressive triple negative breast cancer by focusing on special cancer cells that help the disease come back.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Michigan at Ann Arbor NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Ann Arbor, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11141232 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Triple negative breast cancer is a very aggressive type of breast cancer that often returns and has limited treatment options. This project focuses on specific cancer cells, called cancer stem-like cells, which are believed to cause the cancer to come back and lead to poor outcomes. Researchers are exploring a new approach to attack these cells by using a special compound that creates harmful oxygen molecules within them. The goal is to find out if this compound, alone or with another treatment, can effectively kill these aggressive cancer cells and how it might boost the body's own immune response against the cancer.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This foundational laboratory research is for patients with triple negative breast cancer who may benefit from future therapies developed from these findings.
Not a fit: Patients seeking immediate treatment options or direct clinical trial participation would not directly benefit from this early-stage laboratory research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new and more effective treatments for patients with aggressive triple negative breast cancer, potentially preventing recurrence and improving survival.
How similar studies have performed: This approach of targeting specific metabolic vulnerabilities in cancer stem cells is a novel strategy, building on existing knowledge about cancer cell biology.
Where this research is happening
Ann Arbor, United States
- University of Michigan at Ann Arbor — Ann Arbor, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wicha, Max S. — University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
- Study coordinator: Wicha, Max S.
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.