Understanding how breast cancer cells grow without estrogen
Official title: Mechanism of estrogen independent proliferation in ER+ breast cancer cells
Funded at Beckman Research Institute/city of Hope · NIH-10977526 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking into how some breast cancer cells that usually need estrogen to grow can keep multiplying even without it, which could help doctors find better treatments for patients with early-stage breast cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Beckman Research Institute/city of Hope NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Duarte, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2021 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $88,666 |
| NIH project number | 3U01CA264620-04S2 |
| Project ID | NIH-10977526 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with early-stage estrogen receptor positive breast cancer who are undergoing or considering endocrine therapy.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with hormone receptor negative breast cancer or those who are not in the early stages of the disease may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the mechanisms behind the growth of estrogen receptor positive (ER+) breast cancer cells that do not rely on estrogen for proliferation. By analyzing tumor biopsies and using advanced profiling techniques, the study aims to identify how certain pathways, like the JNK MAPK pathway, contribute to cancer cell resistance against treatments. The researchers will explore the interaction between cell cycle regulators and estrogen signaling to better understand how these tumors can reactivate and proliferate despite therapy. This could lead to more effective treatment strategies for patients with early-stage breast cancer.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatment options for patients with early-stage ER+ breast cancer, potentially increasing their chances of recovery.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promising results in combining CDK inhibitors with endocrine therapy for metastatic breast cancer, indicating potential for success in earlier stages as well.
Where this research is happening
-
Beckman Research Institute/city of Hope
Duarte, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Nath, Aritro — Beckman Research Institute/city of Hope
- Study coordinator: Nath, Aritro
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.