Understanding how tissue death affects aggressive breast cancer growth
Official title: Role of necrosis in the evolution of highly metastatic and chemo-resistant breast cancers
Funded at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center · NIH-10912796 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how tissue death affects aggressive breast cancers and aims to find new ways to stop this process, which could help improve treatment for patients dealing with these tough-to-treat tumors.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project start | August 23, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $678,482 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA277045-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10912796 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with high-grade, metastatic breast cancer who are experiencing treatment resistance.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with early-stage breast cancer or those whose tumors do not exhibit necrosis may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the role of necrosis, or tissue death, in the development of highly aggressive and drug-resistant breast cancers. By using animal models and analyzing patient blood and tissue samples, the study aims to uncover the molecular mechanisms behind necrosis and its impact on tumor behavior. The researchers have identified a protein called angiopoietin-like 7 (Angptl7) that influences blood vessel development in tumors, and they will explore how suppressing this protein can reduce necrosis and tumor spread. The goal is to find new therapeutic strategies to prevent necrosis and improve treatment outcomes for patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments that prevent necrosis in tumors, potentially improving survival rates for patients with aggressive breast cancer.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promising results in targeting tumor microenvironments, suggesting that this approach could yield significant insights and advancements.
Where this research is happening
-
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center
Seattle, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Cheung, Kevin Jon — Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center
- Study coordinator: Cheung, Kevin Jon
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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.