Understanding and improving immunotherapy for breast cancer that has spread to the brain
Elucidating resistance mechanisms and enhancing response to immune checkpoint blockade in central nervous system metastases from breast cancer
This work aims to understand why some breast cancer brain metastases don't respond to immunotherapy and find new ways to make these treatments more effective for patients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts General Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11137652 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
We are looking closely at samples from patients with breast cancer that has spread to the brain, both before and after they receive immunotherapy. By studying changes in cancer cells and the immune system over time, we hope to discover why some treatments stop working. We are also testing new combination therapies in advanced lab models to find better ways to boost the power of immunotherapy. Our goal is to uncover new strategies that can help more patients respond to these important treatments.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This research is relevant for patients with breast cancer that has spread to the central nervous system, particularly those who are receiving or considering immunotherapy.
Not a fit: Patients whose breast cancer has not spread to the central nervous system or who are not candidates for immunotherapy may not directly benefit from this specific research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to more effective immunotherapy treatments for breast cancer patients with brain metastases, potentially improving their outcomes.
How similar studies have performed: Immunotherapies have shown success in other cancers, and preliminary results from ongoing trials suggest some breast cancer patients with CNS metastases can respond, making this a promising area for further investigation.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Massachusetts General Hospital — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Brastianos, Priscilla Kaliopi — Massachusetts General Hospital
- Study coordinator: Brastianos, Priscilla Kaliopi
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.