# Pathways that regulate basal and metastatic phenotypes in triple negative breast cancers

> **NIH NIH R01** · RBHS-NEW JERSEY MEDICAL SCHOOL · 2020 · $505,444

## Abstract

Summary
Triple negative breast cancers (TNBCs) represent 10-20% of breast tumors; 75% of
these have a basal-like phenotype. However, the basal phenotype itself does not
necessarily predict a metastatic phenotype. Thus, it is critical to develop a clear
understanding of the pathways and molecules that control tumor phenotypes to more
effectively treat patients with breast cancer and to identify biomarkers of aggressive,
metastatic tumor profiles. The long-term goal of this research is to understand what
regulates basal and metastatic phenotypes in TNBC. We have identified a tyrosine
kinase signaling pathway that, when disrupted, augments a basal phenotype in a mouse
model of TNBC and converts tumors from non-metastatic to metastatic. Our published
data and new preliminary data support the relevance of this model in a subtype of
human TNBCs and provide the basis for our hypothesis that the luminal and basal
lineages have distinct functions in the phenotypes of TNBCs. The goal of the proposed
studies is to define the cellular mechanisms and alterations in other signaling pathways
responsible for these important changes in tumor phenotypes. Three specific aims are
proposed to demonstrate that 1) luminal insulin-like growth factor receptor (IGF-1R)
regulates luminal to basal cell conversion and tumor-initiating phenotype, 2)
myoepithelial IGF-1R regulates a metastatic phenotype, and 3) expression of the IGF-1R
is decreased in human TNBCs with high Wnt and EMT signatures. At the completion of
the aims, we expect to have obtained critical information in how interactions between
tyrosine kinase, self-renewal and inflammatory pathways regulate phenotypes in TNBC.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9846205
- **Project number:** 5R01CA204312-04
- **Recipient organization:** RBHS-NEW JERSEY MEDICAL SCHOOL
- **Principal Investigator:** Teresa L Wood
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $505,444
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2017-01-01 → 2021-12-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9846205

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9846205, Pathways that regulate basal and metastatic phenotypes in triple negative breast cancers (5R01CA204312-04). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-21 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9846205. Licensed CC0.

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