Using a virus to improve breast cancer treatment with immune therapies
Official title: Systemic delivery of an oncolytic adenovirus targeting TGFβ to enhance anti-PD-1 and anti-CTLA-4 therapy for triple negative breast cancer
Funded at Endeavor Health Clinical Operations · NIH-11057511 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new way to boost the effectiveness of current immune therapies for triple negative breast cancer by using a special virus that helps the immune system fight the cancer better, and it’s designed for patients who are looking for improved treatment options.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Endeavor Health Clinical Operations NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Evanston, United States) |
| Project start | March 1, 2021 |
| Project end | February 28, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $416,290 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA248574-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11057511 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer who have not responded to existing immune therapies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with non-triple negative breast cancer or those who have not yet undergone immune therapy may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates a novel approach to enhance the effectiveness of existing immune therapies for triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) by using an oncolytic adenovirus that targets TGFβ, a protein that suppresses the immune response. The study aims to deliver this virus systemically to patients, which could help overcome resistance to current treatments like anti-PD-1 and anti-CTLA-4 therapies. By inhibiting TGFβ pathways, the goal is to create a more favorable tumor environment for immune attack. Patients may receive this treatment in conjunction with standard therapies to improve their outcomes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve treatment responses for patients with triple negative breast cancer who currently have limited options.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in using similar viral approaches to enhance cancer immunotherapy, indicating potential for success in this novel application.
Where this research is happening
-
Endeavor Health Clinical Operations
Evanston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Xu, Weidong — Endeavor Health Clinical Operations
- Study coordinator: Xu, Weidong
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Genomic study to understand how genetics and epigenetics shape triple-negative breast cancer in African ancestry
This study looks at how inherited genes and gene activity affect triple-negative breast cancer in people of African ancestry to better understand why outcomes can be worse.
-
Co-Targeting IL-6 and CDK4/6 to Prevent TNBC in Women Veterans
A study aims to block two cancer-promoting pathways (IL-6 and CDK4/6) to prevent or reduce progression of triple-negative breast cancer in women veterans.
-
Linking heavy metal exposure to a tougher breast cancer type (TNBC)
Aimed at understanding how heavy metals like cadmium might trigger a dangerous breast cancer type (TNBC) in people, especially those with BRCA1 risk, to identify possible future treatment strategies.
-
Dormancy in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer: How Liver and Skin Metastases Go Quiet or Reactivate
Researchers will study how dormant cancer cells in liver and skin metastases of triple-negative breast cancer become quiescent or wake up, using organ-on-chip models and single-cell analysis to map chromatin states.
-
Rac-enhanced CAR-Macrophages against TNBC
A new cell therapy approach uses engineered macrophages with a CAR and Rac2 activation to target and kill triple-negative breast cancer cells expressing CSPG4.
-
A new peptide therapy to help treat metastatic triple-negative breast cancer
A new peptide therapy called PEG-FUD is being tested to help treat metastatic triple-negative breast cancer by normalizing the tumor environment to improve treatment delivery.
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.