Using CDK 4/6 inhibitors with radiation to improve treatment for advanced breast cancer
Official title: Project 3: Credentialing CDK 4/6 inhibitors used with radiation as an effective treatment strategy in locally advanced ER+ and TNBC
Funded at University of Michigan at Ann Arbor · NIH-10917032 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at whether using CDK 4/6 inhibitors along with radiation therapy can help women with locally advanced estrogen receptor-positive or triple-negative breast cancer, especially those with more than three affected lymph nodes, by making the radiation treatment work better and reducing the chances of cancer coming back.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Michigan at Ann Arbor NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Ann Arbor, United States) |
| Project start | August 14, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $250,596 |
| NIH project number | 5P50CA269022-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10917032 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are women diagnosed with locally advanced ER+ or TNBC breast cancer, particularly those with more than three affected lymph nodes.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with early-stage breast cancer or those who do not have ER+ or TNBC may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the effectiveness of combining CDK 4/6 inhibitors with radiation therapy for women with locally advanced estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) and triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). The study aims to address the high rates of locoregional recurrence in these patients, particularly those with more than three affected lymph nodes. By evaluating the potential of CDK 4/6 inhibitors as radiosensitizers, the research seeks to enhance the effectiveness of radiation therapy, which is a standard treatment for breast cancer. The approach involves clinical trials and assessments to determine the safety and efficacy of this combination treatment.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly reduce the risk of cancer recurrence and improve survival rates for women with advanced breast cancer.
How similar studies have gone: While the use of CDK 4/6 inhibitors has shown promise in treating metastatic ER+ breast cancer, this specific combination with radiation therapy is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Speers, Corey W. — University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
- Study coordinator: Speers, Corey W.
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Globally useful predictor for cervical cancer treatment response
This project aims to develop a simple predictive signature to personalize treatment for locally advanced cervical cancer using easy tests and imaging.
-
Spatial control of immunogenic cancer killing for locally advanced lung cancer
A new approach uses radiation-triggered nanoparticles to deliver cancer-killing drugs directly to lung tumors while sparing healthy tissue.
-
Credentialing CDK 4/6 inhibitors with radiation to treat high-risk breast cancer
A study from the University of Michigan aims to test whether adding CDK4/6 inhibitors to radiation therapy could improve outcomes for women with high-risk ER+ or triple-negative breast cancer.
-
Targeted radiosensitization to improve local control in advanced cancers
A Cancer research grant is exploring how combining radiation therapy with a targeted drug approach could better control locally advanced tumors.
-
Total Neoadjuvant Therapy for Borderline or Locally Advanced Pancreatic Cancer
A multi-part treatment approach tests giving all chemotherapy and targeted radiotherapy before surgery to help patients with tough-to-remove pancreatic cancer become eligible for curative surgery.
-
Blood tests to predict who will respond to pre-surgery therapy for locally advanced rectal cancer
A blood-based test is being developed to predict which patients with locally advanced rectal cancer will respond to neoadjuvant chemoradiation before surgery.
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.