Understanding how breast cancer cells resist treatment
Therapeutically leveraging metabolic vulnerabilities in breast cancer
This research aims to discover new ways to target breast cancer cells that survive initial treatments and can cause the cancer to return.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Medical College of Wisconsin NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Milwaukee, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11131039 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Many anti-cancer drugs don't completely get rid of all cancer cells, leaving behind 'persister' cells that can become resistant and lead to the cancer coming back. This project focuses on estrogen receptor alpha-positive (ER+) breast cancer, where these persister cells can remain for years despite standard hormone therapies. We want to understand how these ER+ breast cancer cells change their metabolism to survive treatment and eventually overcome it. By identifying these metabolic weaknesses, we hope to develop new strategies to eliminate these stubborn cells and prevent cancer recurrence.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This foundational research is most relevant to patients with ER+ breast cancer, especially those who experience or are at high risk for recurrence after endocrine therapy.
Not a fit: Patients with other types of cancer or those whose ER+ breast cancer has not shown signs of drug tolerance may not directly benefit from this specific line of research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments that prevent ER+ breast cancer from returning after initial therapy.
How similar studies have performed: While the specific approach of targeting metabolic vulnerabilities in drug-tolerant persister cells is actively being explored, current therapies often leave behind these cells, indicating a need for novel strategies.
Where this research is happening
Milwaukee, United States
- Medical College of Wisconsin — Milwaukee, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Miller, Todd W. — Medical College of Wisconsin
- Study coordinator: Miller, Todd W.
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 below.