Why HER2 breast cancer treatments work differently in Black patients
Project 1
Researchers want to learn whether genetic differences common in Black patients change how well HER2-targeted treatments like trastuzumab work.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Wayne State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Detroit, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11184215 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a patient point of view, the team is using genetically diverse mouse models that all carry the same HER2-driven tumor so they can isolate how the host’s genes affect treatment response. They give anti-HER2 immunotherapy to these mice and track which animals mount lasting anti-tumor immune responses and which do not. Genetic linkage analysis then points to specific regions of the genome that influence those outcomes. The goal is to connect those findings back to why Black patients with HER2+ breast cancer sometimes have lower response rates and more side effects, to guide future personalized approaches.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: The primary patient group linked to this work would be people of African ancestry who have HER2-positive breast cancer and are treated with HER2-directed therapies.
Not a fit: Patients without HER2-positive tumors or whose care does not involve HER2-targeted immunotherapy are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this preclinical work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to genetic factors that help tailor HER2-targeted therapy and reduce side effects for Black patients with HER2-positive breast cancer.
How similar studies have performed: Prior studies show immune responses influence trastuzumab benefit, but using genetically diverse mice with identical tumors and linkage mapping to find human-relevant genetic loci is a relatively novel approach.
Where this research is happening
Detroit, United States
- Wayne State University — Detroit, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gibson, Heather Marie — Wayne State University
- Study coordinator: Gibson, Heather Marie
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 below.