Understanding and overcoming immune evasion in aggressive breast cancer

Who could benefit from this research

What this research studies

This research focuses on triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), a challenging subtype of breast cancer that lacks effective treatment options. The study aims to investigate how TNBC tumors evade the immune system by downregulating important molecules that help the immune system recognize and attack cancer cells. By characterizing these immune-evasive tumors, the researchers hope to develop new combination immunotherapy strategies that can enhance the immune response against TNBC. Patients may have the opportunity to participate in trials testing these innovative treatments.

Why it matters

Where this research is happening

• Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
  Chapel Hill, United States Active

Researchers

• Principal investigator: O'connell, Dina — Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
• Study coordinator: O'connell, Dina

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

• Genomic study to understand how genetics and epigenetics shape triple-negative breast cancer in African ancestry

  This study looks at how inherited genes and gene activity affect triple-negative breast cancer in people of African ancestry to better understand why outcomes can be worse.

  NIH research Tuskegee University · Tuskegee Institute, United States · NIH-11621786

• Co-Targeting IL-6 and CDK4/6 to Prevent TNBC in Women Veterans

  A study aims to block two cancer-promoting pathways (IL-6 and CDK4/6) to prevent or reduce progression of triple-negative breast cancer in women veterans.

  NIH research Baltimore VA Medical Center · Baltimore, United States · NIH-11608792

• Linking heavy metal exposure to a tougher breast cancer type (TNBC)

  Aimed at understanding how heavy metals like cadmium might trigger a dangerous breast cancer type (TNBC) in people, especially those with BRCA1 risk, to identify possible future treatment strategies.

  NIH research University of Louisville · Louisville, United States · NIH-11567535

• Dormancy in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer: How Liver and Skin Metastases Go Quiet or Reactivate

  Researchers will study how dormant cancer cells in liver and skin metastases of triple-negative breast cancer become quiescent or wake up, using organ-on-chip models and single-cell analysis to map chromatin states.

  NIH research Massachusetts Institute of Technology · Cambridge, United States · NIH-11531542

• Rac-enhanced CAR-Macrophages against TNBC

  A new cell therapy approach uses engineered macrophages with a CAR and Rac2 activation to target and kill triple-negative breast cancer cells expressing CSPG4.

  NIH research University of Louisville · Louisville, United States · NIH-11520503

• A new peptide therapy to help treat metastatic triple-negative breast cancer

  A new peptide therapy called PEG-FUD is being tested to help treat metastatic triple-negative breast cancer by normalizing the tumor environment to improve treatment delivery.

  NIH research University of Wisconsin-Madison · Madison, United States · NIH-11453153

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.