Understanding how hormone therapy and radiation work together to reduce brain metastases in breast cancer.
Official title: Mechanisms of endocrine therapy and radiation synergism to decrease brain metastases
Funded at University of Colorado Denver · NIH-10902514 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at why young women with breast cancer often face tougher challenges, like aggressive tumors and brain spread, and it’s exploring how certain hormone treatments combined with radiation might help boost the immune system to fight these issues better.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Colorado Denver NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Aurora, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | September 1, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $517,732 |
| NIH project number | 1R01CA290813-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10902514 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are young women diagnosed with breast cancer, especially those with triple-negative breast cancer.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with non-breast cancer-related brain metastases or those who do not have hormone-sensitive tumors may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the reasons why young women with breast cancer are more likely to develop aggressive forms of the disease and brain metastases. It focuses on the role of the hormone estradiol and how endocrine therapies, when combined with radiation therapy, can enhance the immune response against tumors in the brain. By studying the interactions between these treatments and the brain's immune environment, the research aims to improve treatment strategies for young women diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer. The findings could lead to better management of brain metastases in this vulnerable population.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective treatment options for young women with breast cancer, particularly those at risk for brain metastases.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in combining endocrine therapies with radiation for treating various cancers, suggesting potential success for this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Colorado Denver
Aurora, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Cittelly, Diana M. — University of Colorado Denver
- Study coordinator: Cittelly, Diana M.
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Understanding and interrupting brain metastasis in cancer patients
A national research effort at Stanford aims to understand why cancer spreads to the brain and to develop ways to interrupt it, with the goal of improving survival and quality of life for people with cancer.
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Rational approaches to improve treatment for breast cancer that has spread to the brain
Aimed at boosting how well a HER2-targeted antibody-drug conjugate works for people whose breast cancer has spread to the brain.
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Understanding how brain metastasis in triple-negative breast cancer is shaped by tumor-immune interactions
A patient-focused program aims to learn why TNBC spreads to the brain and how the immune system interacts with those cancer cells, with a focus on women of African ancestry.
-
AI-driven automatic treatment planning for brain metastases radiotherapy
A new AI-based system helps plan precise stereotactic radiosurgery for people with multiple brain metastases.
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Endocrine therapy and radiation work together to reduce brain metastases
Aims to understand how hormone therapy and radiation together help the body fight breast cancer that has spread to the brain, especially in younger women.
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Personalized brain metastases risk map to guide radiotherapy
A new approach uses personal MRI data to predict where brain metastases might develop so radiation can target high-risk areas and spare healthy brain tissue.
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.