Using targeted nanocarriers to improve treatment for metastatic breast cancer
Official title: Translational Combinations of Nanocarriers and Blockers for Metastatic Breast Cancer
Funded at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign · NIH-11052550 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new way to treat metastatic breast cancer by using tiny carriers to deliver special drugs right to the immune cells in tumors, hoping to help more patients, especially those with triple-negative breast cancer, respond better to existing treatments.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Champaign, United States) |
| Project start | March 8, 2024 |
| Project end | February 28, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $570,553 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA288207-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11052550 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients with metastatic triple-negative breast cancer who have not responded well to current therapies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with non-metastatic breast cancer or those whose tumors do not express PD-L1 may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a new therapy for metastatic breast cancer by using targeted nanocarriers to deliver immunostimulatory drugs directly to immune cells within tumors. The approach aims to enhance the effectiveness of existing immune checkpoint blockade therapies, which currently only benefit a small percentage of patients. By minimizing side effects and improving drug delivery specifically to tumor-associated macrophages, the research seeks to increase the response rates in patients with triple-negative breast cancer. The methodology involves using mouse models to test the efficacy of these targeted therapies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve treatment outcomes for patients with metastatic breast cancer by increasing the effectiveness of immunotherapy while reducing side effects.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in using targeted delivery systems for cancer therapies, indicating that this approach could be effective.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Champaign, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Smith, Andrew Michael — University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
- Study coordinator: Smith, Andrew Michael
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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.