NIH-funded research R37 grant

Understanding how BACH1 controls lactate use in triple-negative breast cancer

Official title: Understanding lactate catabolism by BACH1 in triple negative breast cancer

Funded at George Washington University · NIH-11393880 · Data updated 2026-11-12

A research project aims to see how turning off BACH1 changes how cancer cells in triple-negative breast cancer use lactate, with the goal of making therapies targeting metabolism work better.

More Breast Cancer research and trials

Quick facts

Grant typeR37 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionGeorge Washington University
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Washington, United States)
Project startAugust 1, 2022
Project endJuly 31, 2027
Funding year2026
Award (this year)$485,832
NIH project number5R37CA270536-05
Project IDNIH-11393880 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Patients with triple-negative breast cancer, especially those whose tumors show dependence on mitochondrial metabolism and lactate processing, may be eligible for future trials.

Less likely to help

Patients whose tumors do not rely on mitochondrial metabolism or lactate catabolism may see limited benefit.

What this research studies

This project looks at how cancer cells in triple-negative breast cancer manage their energy and how blocking a key regulator, BACH1, could make many cancer cells more vulnerable to metabolic drugs. Researchers will study how BACH1 affects lactate breakdown inside cancer cells and whether reducing BACH1 can harmonize cancer cell metabolism to boost drug response. The work combines molecular profiling and metabolic analyses to identify when tumors might be most susceptible to metabolic inhibitors. The ultimate aim is to reprogram cancer metabolism so more cells can be killed by existing anti-metabolic treatments.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, patients with TNBC could benefit from more effective metabolic therapies.

How similar studies have gone: Previous work suggests targeting metabolism can sensitize cancer cells to drugs, and this project builds on that concept with a novel focus on BACH1 and lactate pathways.

Where this research is happening

  • George Washington University
    Washington, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Lee, Jiyoung — George Washington University
  • Study coordinator: Lee, Jiyoung

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

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.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 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.