Understanding FGFR1-amplified breast cancer to overcome endocrine resistance
Official title: Evolutionary dynamics and microenvironmental determinants of metastatic breast cancer
Funded at Stanford University · NIH-11523882 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project explores why a type of breast cancer with FGFR1 changes stops responding to hormone therapy and looks for new combination treatments that may help patients live longer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Stanford University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Stanford, United States) |
| Project start | September 14, 2021 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $462,000 |
| NIH project number | 3U54CA261719-05S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11523882 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with high-risk ER+ breast cancer that harbor FGFR1 amplification and chromosomal instability may be most relevant.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without FGFR1 amplification or with non-ER+ breast cancer may be less likely to benefit from these specific strategies.
What this research studies
High-risk ER+ breast cancers with FGFR1 amplification show chromosomal instability and endocrine resistance. The program uses patient-derived models and advanced spatial techniques to find vulnerabilities and test combinations with endocrine and cell-cycle inhibitors. It also employs Spatial Perturb-Seq to link genetic changes with spatial gene expression, aiming to map how tumors adapt and resist therapy. In vivo studies will validate effective strategies and characterize residual disease in the tumor microenvironment.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could reveal new drug combinations and precision approaches to overcome resistance in FGFR1-amplified breast cancer.
How similar studies have gone: Prior research supports targeting FGFR1 pathways, but resistance mechanisms remain a challenge, making this approach both plausible and innovative.
Where this research is happening
-
Stanford University
Stanford, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Curtis, Christina N — Stanford University
- Study coordinator: Curtis, Christina N
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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.