Understanding and overcoming immunotherapy resistance in breast cancer
LncRNA EPIC1 induces immunotherapy resistance by activating EZH2 in breast cancer
This research explores why some breast cancers stop responding to immunotherapy and aims to find new ways to make these treatments work better.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11135591 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
For patients with triple-negative breast cancer, immunotherapy can be a powerful treatment, but sometimes the cancer becomes resistant. This project looks into a specific genetic factor, called EPIC1, and how it might cause this resistance by activating another protein, EZH2. Researchers believe that by blocking EZH2 with an existing drug, they might be able to make immunotherapy effective again. They will examine human breast cancer samples and test drug combinations in advanced lab models to understand this process and find better treatment strategies.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Patients with triple-negative breast cancer who have experienced or are at risk of immunotherapy resistance may eventually benefit from this research.
Not a fit: Patients with breast cancer types not related to the EPIC1-EZH2 pathway or those not receiving immunotherapy may not directly benefit from this specific approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new treatment options that help overcome resistance to immunotherapy for breast cancer patients.
How similar studies have performed: While immunotherapy has shown success in breast cancer, this specific approach of targeting EPIC1-EZH2 to overcome resistance is a novel strategy building on recent discoveries.
Where this research is happening
Pittsburgh, United States
- University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh — Pittsburgh, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Yang, Da — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Yang, Da
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.