Understanding how some HER2 positive breast cancer cells survive treatment
Official title: Molecular ontology of drug tolerant persisters in HER2 positive breast cancer - Resubmission - 1
Funded at New York University School of Medicine · NIH-11002660 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at why some HER2 positive breast cancer cells can survive treatment and how they go into a resting state, which might help us find better ways to stop these cells from resisting therapy and improve outcomes for patients like you.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | New York University School of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | January 1, 2022 |
| Project end | December 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $703,389 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA264933-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11002660 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with HER2 positive breast cancer who are undergoing treatment with tyrosine kinase inhibitors.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with other types of breast cancer or those who are not receiving targeted therapies may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the mechanisms behind drug-tolerant persisters (DTPs) in HER2 positive breast cancer, which are cells that survive despite treatment with targeted therapies. The study focuses on how these cells enter a dormant state and the genetic factors that contribute to their resilience against therapies like tyrosine kinase inhibitors. By analyzing patient samples and cancer cell lines, the research aims to identify the characteristics of these DTPs and their role in treatment resistance. This could lead to new strategies to prevent resistance and improve treatment outcomes for patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective treatments for HER2 positive breast cancer, potentially converting temporary remissions into long-term cures.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown success in understanding drug resistance mechanisms in other cancers, suggesting that this approach may yield valuable insights for HER2 positive breast cancer as well.
Where this research is happening
-
New York University School of Medicine
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Skok, Jane Amanda — New York University School of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Skok, Jane Amanda
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Enhancing HER2-targeted therapy for resistant breast cancer
This grant explores new ways to overcome resistance to HER2-targeted therapy in people with HER2-positive breast cancer.
-
Prolactin signaling and brain metastasis in HER2-positive breast cancer
Researchers are studying how prolactin signals help HER2-positive breast cancer cells grow in the brain, with the goal of finding new ideas to prevent brain metastases.
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XoLacta adjuvant therapy to reduce radiation side effects during HER2-positive breast cancer treatment
A new milk-derived therapy called XoLacta aims to lessen radiation-related side effects for people undergoing treatment for HER2-positive breast cancer.
-
Ig repertoire in tumor-infiltrating B cells in metastatic HER2-positive breast cancer (mouse model)
Scientists will study how antibodies from immune cells inside HER2-positive breast tumors behave in a mouse model to understand potential new ways to fight the cancer.
-
Autophagy and vesicle trafficking linked to HER2+ breast cancer progression
A cancer research project aims to understand how cell recycling processes and vesicle movement affect HER2-positive breast cancer, with potential implications for metastasis and resistance to therapy.
-
XoLacta to reduce radiation side effects in HER2-positive breast cancer
XoLacta, a milk-derived therapy given during radiation, aims to help people with HER2-positive breast cancer heal better and have fewer side effects.
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.