Understanding and targeting Pentraxin-3 in triple-negative breast cancer

Pentraxin-3 in the Pathogenesis and Management of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

NIH-funded research Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center · NIH-11125918

This work explores a protein called PTX3 to find new ways to identify and treat triple-negative breast cancer, which is a challenging form of breast cancer.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionBeth Israel Deaconess Medical Center NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Boston, United States)
Project IDNIH-11125918 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive type of cancer that often doesn't respond well to standard treatments, leading to high recurrence rates. Our team found that a protein called PTX3 is very common in TNBC and is linked to worse patient outcomes. We believe PTX3 helps cancer cells grow, spread, and resist chemotherapy. By understanding how PTX3 works, we hope to develop new ways to detect TNBC earlier and create more effective, targeted treatments.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: This research is focused on understanding triple-negative breast cancer, so future clinical applications would be for patients diagnosed with this specific type of breast cancer.

Not a fit: Patients with other types of breast cancer or different medical conditions would likely not directly benefit from the specific findings of this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new ways to identify patients at higher risk for aggressive triple-negative breast cancer and develop new targeted therapies that improve treatment outcomes.

How similar studies have performed: While PTX3 has been studied in other contexts, its specific role as a biomarker and therapeutic target in triple-negative breast cancer is a novel and promising area of investigation.

Where this research is happening

Boston, 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.
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.