Understanding how aging affects the progression of ER+ breast cancer in older women
Official title: Promotion of ER+ Breast Cancer Progression in the Elderly
Funded at University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh · NIH-10898759 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how breast cancer behaves in women aged 70 and older, especially those with estrogen receptor positive (ER+) cancer, to see if some aggressive treatments can be skipped without harming their chances of living longer, all while considering how aging and inflammation affect their condition.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2021 |
| Project end | March 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $53,974 |
| NIH project number | 5F30CA264963-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-10898759 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are elderly women aged 70 and older who have been diagnosed with early-stage ER+ breast cancer.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are younger than 70 or those with non-ER+ breast cancer may not receive benefits from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the unique characteristics of estrogen receptor positive (ER+) breast cancer in elderly women, particularly those aged 70 and older. It focuses on how aging influences cancer behavior and treatment responses, especially in the context of chronic inflammation and changes in estrogen signaling. The study aims to explore whether certain invasive treatments can be safely avoided in older patients without negatively impacting their survival outcomes. By examining the biological and clinical differences in ER+ breast cancer among older patients, the research seeks to improve treatment strategies tailored for this age group.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective and less invasive treatment options for elderly women with ER+ breast cancer.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in de-implementing invasive treatments for elderly patients with early-stage ER+ breast cancer, indicating that this approach may be effective.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Carleton, Neil — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Carleton, Neil
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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ER+ Breast Cancer Bone Metastasis in a Real Body Environment
This grant aims to understand why estrogen receptor alpha–positive breast cancer often spreads to bone and how the bone environment and immune system affect treatment resistance.
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Targeting RAGE to fight obesity-related ER+ breast cancer and its drug resistance
A scientist team will explore how obesity-related inflammation involving RAGE and estrone interacts with ER+ breast cancer to drive growth and spread, aiming to find strategies to overcome therapy resistance.
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Understanding estrogen signals in bone to stop ER+ breast cancer spread
This NIH grant aims to uncover how estrogen signals inside bone help ER-positive breast cancer cells grow and spread, with the goal of finding better ways to prevent bone metastasis.
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Progesterone Receptor Signaling and Dormancy in ER+ Breast Cancer
Researchers are studying how hormone signals in ER+/PR+ breast cancer influence cancer cell dormancy and later recurrence.
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Heavy Metals and Breast Cancer Treatment Resistance
This project explores how exposure to heavy metals might make ER+ breast cancer harder to treat and how we might overcome this challenge.
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Turning ER-positive breast cancer into a viral target for immune attack
This project aims to wake up viral-like bits inside ER-positive breast cancer cells so the immune system can spot and attack them.
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.