Understanding how nerve growth affects triple-negative breast cancer spread
Official title: Dissecting the Role of TRPV1 in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Innervation
Funded at Tufts University Boston · NIH-10994494 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how nerves in the body might help triple-negative breast cancer spread, and it aims to find ways to slow down that spread to help patients feel better and live longer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Tufts University Boston NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $44,570 |
| NIH project number | 1F30CA294624-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10994494 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are women diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer who may benefit from novel therapeutic strategies targeting nerve interactions.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with non-triple-negative breast cancer subtypes or those without significant nerve involvement may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the role of sensory nerves in the spread of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), a particularly aggressive form of breast cancer. The study aims to uncover how increased nerve innervation in tumors contributes to metastasis, which is the spread of cancer to other parts of the body. By examining the TRPV1 channel on sensory nerves, the researchers hope to identify mechanisms that could be targeted to reduce cancer spread and improve patient outcomes. The approach includes co-culturing TNBC cells with sensory neurons to analyze changes in nerve growth and cancer cell behavior.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments that reduce the spread of triple-negative breast cancer, potentially improving survival rates for patients.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that targeting nerve interactions in cancer can influence tumor behavior, suggesting potential for success in this novel approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Tufts University Boston
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bloomer, Hanan Christopher — Tufts University Boston
- Study coordinator: Bloomer, Hanan Christopher
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Genomic study to understand how genetics and epigenetics shape triple-negative breast cancer in African ancestry
This study looks at how inherited genes and gene activity affect triple-negative breast cancer in people of African ancestry to better understand why outcomes can be worse.
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Co-Targeting IL-6 and CDK4/6 to Prevent TNBC in Women Veterans
A study aims to block two cancer-promoting pathways (IL-6 and CDK4/6) to prevent or reduce progression of triple-negative breast cancer in women veterans.
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Linking heavy metal exposure to a tougher breast cancer type (TNBC)
Aimed at understanding how heavy metals like cadmium might trigger a dangerous breast cancer type (TNBC) in people, especially those with BRCA1 risk, to identify possible future treatment strategies.
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Dormancy in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer: How Liver and Skin Metastases Go Quiet or Reactivate
Researchers will study how dormant cancer cells in liver and skin metastases of triple-negative breast cancer become quiescent or wake up, using organ-on-chip models and single-cell analysis to map chromatin states.
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Rac-enhanced CAR-Macrophages against TNBC
A new cell therapy approach uses engineered macrophages with a CAR and Rac2 activation to target and kill triple-negative breast cancer cells expressing CSPG4.
-
A new peptide therapy to help treat metastatic triple-negative breast cancer
A new peptide therapy called PEG-FUD is being tested to help treat metastatic triple-negative breast cancer by normalizing the tumor environment to improve treatment delivery.
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.