Using viral mimicry to target estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer
Official title: Targeting ER+ Breast Cancer Through Induced Viral Mimicry
Funded at Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute · NIH-11061322 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is exploring a new way to treat estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer by blocking a protein called FBXO44, which might help wake up certain parts of the cancer cells to boost your immune system's ability to fight the tumor.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2022 |
| Project end | March 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $446,063 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA269339-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11061322 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with other types of breast cancer or those who do not express estrogen receptors may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates a novel approach to treating estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer by targeting specific proteins that silence repetitive elements in the genome. The study focuses on the protein FBXO44, which plays a crucial role in maintaining this silencing in cancer cells. By inhibiting FBXO44, the researchers aim to reactivate certain viral elements within the cancer cells, triggering an immune response that could help fight the tumor. This approach leverages the body's natural defenses, potentially leading to more effective anti-cancer therapies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments that enhance the immune system's ability to combat breast cancer.
How similar studies have gone: This approach is innovative and has not been widely tested in previous studies, making it a novel exploration in breast cancer treatment.
Where this research is happening
-
Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute
La Jolla, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Spruck, Charles H. — Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute
- Study coordinator: Spruck, Charles H.
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
ER+ Breast Cancer Bone Metastasis in a Real Body Environment
This grant aims to understand why estrogen receptor alpha–positive breast cancer often spreads to bone and how the bone environment and immune system affect treatment resistance.
-
Targeting RAGE to fight obesity-related ER+ breast cancer and its drug resistance
A scientist team will explore how obesity-related inflammation involving RAGE and estrone interacts with ER+ breast cancer to drive growth and spread, aiming to find strategies to overcome therapy resistance.
-
Understanding estrogen signals in bone to stop ER+ breast cancer spread
This NIH grant aims to uncover how estrogen signals inside bone help ER-positive breast cancer cells grow and spread, with the goal of finding better ways to prevent bone metastasis.
-
Progesterone Receptor Signaling and Dormancy in ER+ Breast Cancer
Researchers are studying how hormone signals in ER+/PR+ breast cancer influence cancer cell dormancy and later recurrence.
-
Heavy Metals and Breast Cancer Treatment Resistance
This project explores how exposure to heavy metals might make ER+ breast cancer harder to treat and how we might overcome this challenge.
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Turning ER-positive breast cancer into a viral target for immune attack
This project aims to wake up viral-like bits inside ER-positive breast cancer cells so the immune system can spot and attack them.
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.