Understanding resistance in HER2-positive breast cancer treatments
Official title: MULTIPLEXED ISOFORM QUANTIFICATION IN HER2-POSITIVE BREAST CANCER
Funded at University of California Berkeley · NIH-10778574 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking into why some patients with HER2-positive breast cancer don't respond well to certain treatments, focusing on different forms of the HER2 protein that might be causing issues, with the goal of finding better ways to help those who have had their cancer come back.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California Berkeley NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Berkeley, United States) |
| Project start | March 3, 2021 |
| Project end | February 28, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $338,985 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA203018-08 |
| Project ID | NIH-10778574 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 have experienced recurrence after initial treatment.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with HER2-negative breast cancer or those who have not undergone targeted therapy may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the mechanisms behind resistance to targeted therapies in patients with HER2-positive breast cancer. It focuses on the molecular heterogeneity of the HER2 protein, particularly the presence of truncated isoforms that may contribute to treatment failure. By developing methods to quantify these isoforms at the cellular level, the research aims to provide insights that could lead to more effective treatment strategies for patients experiencing recurrence. The approach involves advanced techniques to analyze the different forms of HER2 proteins in cancer cells.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatment options for patients with HER2-positive breast cancer, potentially reducing recurrence rates.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in understanding molecular heterogeneity in cancer, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California Berkeley
Berkeley, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Herr, Amy Elizabeth — University of California Berkeley
- Study coordinator: Herr, Amy Elizabeth
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
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.