Funding

Targeting Cryptic Splicing-Derived Neoantigens in hnRNPM-Dysregulated Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

DoD BC241088 (09/01/2025 – 08/31/2028)

Major Goals: The major goals of this project are to determine TNBC tumor progression and immune response upon hnRNPM depletion in syngeneic mouse model and to computationally identify neoantigens in publicly available TNBC patient tumors with low hnRNPM expression.

Enhancing tumor immunogenicity of TNBC through cryptic splicing-derived neopeptides

CPRIT Individual Investigator Research Awards, RP260650 (08/31/2026 – 08/30/2029)

Major Goals: Identify T cell TCRs that recognize cryptic neoantigens in TNBC and use pharmacological compounds to boost neoantigen expression.

mRNA-based immunotherapy for targeting triple-negative breast cancer

V Foundation T2025-013 (07/15/2025-07/14/2029) (with co-PIs: Drs. Bing Zhang and Jeroen Pollet)

Major Goals: The major goals of this project are to identify neopeptides produced by cryptic splicing in TNBC and to develop cancer vaccines to target TNBC.

Regulation and consequences of cryptic splicing

NIH R35GM131876 (04/01/2019 - 03/31/2029)

Major Goals: We propose to investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying the repression of cryptic splicing and its downstream consequences on cellular function. As cryptic splicing is associated with neuronal degeneration and cancer, knowledge gained from this research could help identify novel therapeutic interventions.

Mechanisms of tumor cell clustering in breast cancer metastasis

NIH R01CA276432 (07/01/2023 – 06/30/2028)

Major Goals: Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) exhibits the highest potential to metastasize, and clustered circulating tumor cells are associated with a significantly higher incidence of breast cancer metastasis. The primary goal of this proposal is to investigate a novel mechanism of cell-cell interaction that promotes tumor cell clustering and metastasis in TNBC. Successfully accomplishing the proposed study will inspire the development of new strategies for the treatment of metastatic TNBC.

Integrative Single-Cell Analyses of Circulating Tumor Cells in Metastatic Breast Cancer

DoD BC221274 (08/01/2023 - 07/31/2026)

Major Goals: Using scRNA-seq technology, we will elucidate tumor cell transcriptome dynamics at different tumor stages. We will also identify CTC biomarkers in metastatic TNBC, developing of a non-invasive way to track disease progression over time.