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Strawberry Notch Homologs in Regulatory T cell - Mediated Suppression of Anti-Breast Cancer Immunity

Award Number: R21AI200130
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ALLERGY & INFECTIOUS DISEASES
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 06/22/2026
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 05/31/2028

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Strawberry Notch Homologs in Regulatory T cell - Mediated Suppression of Anti-Breast Cancer Immunity - ABSTRACT Breast cancer remains the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women and a leading cause of cancer-related death. Even when surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation are initially effective, many tumors recur or metastasize by evading the body’s natural immune defenses. A major contributor to this immune escape is the activity of regulatory T cells (Tregs). While Tregs are essential for maintaining immune tolerance and preventing autoimmunity, they can also protect tumors by suppressing anti-tumor immune responses. Elevated Treg levels in both tumors and peripheral blood are associated with worse clinical outcomes and reduced responses to immunotherapy in breast cancer patients. This project aims to uncover how Tregs interfere with anti-tumor immunity and how Treg’s tumor promoting activity is enabled by intrinsic mechanisms. Our research has identified a novel and unexpected mechanism by which Tregs suppress immune responses: a previously unrecognized partnership between a specific RNA helicase and the spliceosome. Preliminary studies in mouse models of breast cancer demonstrate that targeted disruption of this partnership in Tregs leads to a potent anti- tumor immune response and halts tumor progression. This discovery opens a new avenue for understanding how tumors escape immune control and identifies a unique molecular target for therapeutic intervention. The innovation of our approach lies in revealing and functionally targeting a previously unexplored complex that regulates Treg activity in cancer. The anticipated impact is to pave the way for novel immunotherapeutic strategies, especially for patients who fail to respond to current treatments, ultimately improving survival and quality of life for individuals with breast cancer.


Issue Date FY	Funding FY	Legal Entity Name	Legal Entity Address	Legal Entity City	Legal Entity State	Legal Entity Zip Code	Legal Entity COUNTY	Legal Entity COUNTRY	Assistance Listing	Award Code	Budget Year	Action Date	Action Type	Action Amount

Issue Date FY: 2026 ( Subtotal = $242,250 )
2026	2026	DUKE UNIVERSITY	2200 W MAIN ST	DURHAM	NC	27705	DURHAM	USA	Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research	000	1	6/23/2026	NEW	$242,250
														Subtotal = $242,250

Grand Total All Awards = $242,250

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Strawberry Notch Homologs in Regulatory T cell - Mediated Suppression of Anti-Breast Cancer Immunity

Award Number: R21AI200130

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ALLERGY & INFECTIOUS DISEASES

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 06/22/2026

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 05/31/2028

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