Understanding how breast cancer cells resist treatment with CDK4/6 inhibitors
Official title: Regulation of resistance to CDK4/6 inhibitor in breast cancer
Funded at George Washington University · NIH-11043237 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking into why some women with advanced ER+ breast cancer don’t respond to certain treatments, specifically a combination of CDK4/6 inhibitors and aromatase inhibitors, and it hopes to find new ways to help those patients whose cancer has become resistant to these drugs.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | George Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Washington, United States) |
| Project start | March 22, 2023 |
| Project end | February 29, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $633,959 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA275904-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11043237 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients with ER+ advanced or metastatic breast cancer who have experienced resistance to CDK4/6 inhibitors.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with breast cancer that is not ER+ or those who have not been treated with CDK4/6 inhibitors may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the mechanisms behind why some breast cancer patients do not respond to CDK4/6 inhibitors, which are commonly used in combination with aromatase inhibitors for treating advanced or metastatic ER+ breast cancer. The study focuses on a specific process called O-GlcNAcylation, which may play a role in cancer drug resistance. By employing advanced screening techniques and molecular approaches, the research aims to uncover new strategies to overcome resistance in patients whose tumors have become resistant to these treatments.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatment options for breast cancer patients who currently do not respond to CDK4/6 inhibitors.
How similar studies have gone: While the specific approach of targeting O-GlcNAcylation in relation to CDK4/6 inhibitor resistance is novel, other studies have successfully explored mechanisms of drug resistance in cancer treatment.
Where this research is happening
-
George Washington University
Washington, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zhu, Wenge — George Washington University
- Study coordinator: Zhu, Wenge
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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.