Understanding SEMA7A's Role in Breast Changes After Pregnancy and Cancer Development
SEMA7A in postpartum mammary gland development and cellular transformation
This research explores how a molecule called SEMA7A might connect changes in the breast after childbirth to the development of aggressive breast cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Colorado Denver NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Aurora, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-11128675 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Pregnancy offers some protection against breast cancer, but there's a temporary increase in risk right after birth, especially for women over 30 at their first pregnancy. Breast cancers diagnosed within 5-10 years of childbirth, known as postpartum breast cancers (PPBC), are often more aggressive and likely to spread. This project aims to understand why PPBCs are more aggressive by looking at a specific protein, SEMA7A, which is found at high levels in these tumors. By learning more about SEMA7A's role in the breast after pregnancy, we hope to find new ways to understand and potentially treat these aggressive cancers.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This foundational research focuses on understanding the biology of postpartum breast cancer, which affects women who have given birth, particularly those diagnosed within 5-10 years of childbirth.
Not a fit: Patients whose breast cancer is not related to postpartum changes or SEMA7A expression may not directly benefit from this specific research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new insights into why postpartum breast cancers are aggressive and help identify new targets for treatment.
How similar studies have performed: Preliminary data from this team suggest SEMA7A is present in mammary cells during postpartum changes and in aggressive tumors, indicating a promising area for further investigation.
Where this research is happening
Aurora, UNITED STATES
- University of Colorado Denver — Aurora, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lyons, Traci — University of Colorado Denver
- Study coordinator: Lyons, Traci
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 below.