Understanding how the immune system interacts with breast cancer in the brain

Inflammatory microenvironment in brain metastasis

['FUNDING_R01'] · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA-IRVINE · NIH-10867313

This study is looking at how brain immune cells react to breast cancer that has spread to the brain, with the hope of finding new ways to use the immune system to help treat patients with this condition.

Quick facts

Phase['FUNDING_R01']
Study typeNih_funding
SexAll
SponsorUNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA-IRVINE (nih funded)
Locations1 site (IRVINE, UNITED STATES)
Trial IDNIH-10867313 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this research studies

This research investigates the role of microglia, the immune cells in the brain, in the context of breast cancer that has spread to the brain. It aims to understand how these cells respond to the presence of cancer cells and how they might help control the growth of tumors. By using advanced techniques like single-cell RNA sequencing, the researchers will explore the inflammatory responses and immune mechanisms involved in this process. The ultimate goal is to find new ways to harness the immune system to improve treatment outcomes for patients with brain metastases from breast cancer.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are patients with breast cancer who have developed metastases in the brain.

Not a fit: Patients with breast cancer that has not metastasized to the brain or those with other types of cancer may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new therapeutic strategies that enhance the immune response against breast cancer metastases in the brain.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding immune responses in cancer, but this specific focus on microglia in brain metastasis is relatively novel.

Where this research is happening

IRVINE, UNITED STATES

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.

View on NIH RePORTER →

Conditions: Breast Cancer

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.