What triggers cancer in BRCA1-linked breasts
Official title: Mechanisms of transition from pre-malignancy to cancer in the Brca1-mutant breast
Funded at University of California-Irvine · NIH-11306068 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This work looks for early cell changes that lead to breast cancer in people with harmful BRCA1 mutations so safer prevention options can be developed.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P01 program project |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California-Irvine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Irvine, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2025 |
| Project end | March 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $497,779 |
| NIH project number | 5P01CA288662-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11306068 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People who carry harmful BRCA1 mutations or have a strong family history of BRCA1-related breast cancer are the most relevant group for this work.
✕Less likely to help
People without BRCA1 mutations or those who need immediate clinical cancer treatment are unlikely to gain direct benefit from this preclinical-focused project in the near term.
What this research studies
This project traces how cells in BRCA1-mutant breast tissue change before cancer appears. The team uses BRCA1/p53-deficient mouse models and maps individual cells with single-cell RNA sequencing and spatial genomics to identify abnormal cell types, including basal-luminal intermediate (BLI) cells. They are also studying alterations in activin signaling and other non-genetic factors that may drive tumor formation. The overall aim is to find molecular targets that could be blocked to prevent cancer without resorting to risk-reducing mastectomy.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could reveal targets or markers that enable non-surgical prevention methods for people with BRCA1 mutations.
How similar studies have gone: Prior single-cell and mouse-model studies have identified similar hybrid cell types and signaling changes, but turning those findings into proven human prevention therapies is still unproven.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California-Irvine
Irvine, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lawson, Devon a. — University of California-Irvine
- Study coordinator: Lawson, Devon a.
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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.