# Evaluation of HSPD1 (Heat Shock Protein, 60) as a theranostic target for breast cancer

> **NIH NIH SC1** · TUSKEGEE UNIVERSITY · 2021 · $367,500

## Abstract

Our laboratory has used a novel subtractive phage display technique to identify phage
ligands that can specifically and selectively bind to epithelial to mesenchymal transitioned
(EMT) breast cancer cells. We selected and characterized several phages that had affinity
to EMT cells. One of the phages with the foreign peptide sequence CLGLRGSLC bound
with greater affinity and specificity to EMT breast cancer and EMT fibroblasts cells. We
identified HSPD1 (heat shock protein, 60Kda) as a putative binding partner to
CLGLRGSLC phage. Subsequent studies, including bioinformatics dataset analysis,
immunoblotting of indolent vs aggressive breast cancer cells, immunohistochemical
analysis of primary and metastatic breast cancer tissues showed increased expression
of HSPD1 during disease progression and correlates with survival of breast cancer
patients. This preliminary engenders the novel hypothesis that HSPD1 might play a role
in metastatic progression of breast cancer and the discovery of HSPD1-binding peptide
also suggests the use of novel imaging and therapeutic agents based on the selective
binding. We hypothesize that HSPD1 is a novel oncogene that can serve as a clinically
relevant marker for breast cancer metastasis and an ideal receptor that can be utilized
for tumor-targeted drug delivery to metastatic sites. Following specific aims will be
pursued:
 a) to determine if HSPD1 expression correlates with metastatic disease.
b) to determine the oncogenic role of HSPD1 in breast cancer development and
progression invitro and invivo,
c) will aim to develop peptidomimetic targeting system to suppress metastasis based on
HSPD1-binding phage peptide fused to proapoptotic moiety D(KLAKLAK)2.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10241242
- **Project number:** 5SC1GM136521-02
- **Recipient organization:** TUSKEGEE UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Deepa Bedi
- **Activity code:** SC1 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $367,500
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2020-08-20 → 2024-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10241242

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10241242, Evaluation of HSPD1 (Heat Shock Protein, 60) as a theranostic target for breast cancer (5SC1GM136521-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10241242. Licensed CC0.

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