Florida Breast Cancer Foundation backs 10 research projects with nearly $1 million

The Florida Breast Cancer Foundation is awarding $998,621 in 2026-2027 scientific research grants to 10 Florida-based studies focused on breast cancer treatment, metastasis, drug resistance, artificial intelligence and related challenges. The funding is designed to move promising lab work closer to patients while supporting researchers at major institutions across the state.

Why it matters: - Florida Breast Cancer Foundation is directing nearly $1 million toward research that targets some of the hardest problems in breast cancer care, including metastatic disease, treatment resistance and aggressive subtypes. - The grants are meant to speed work that could improve detection, treatment and prevention for Florida patients and families. - The funding also supports studies on treatment-related heart damage and obesity-linked breast cancer risk, expanding the scope beyond tumor biology alone.

What happened: - Florida Breast Cancer Foundation awarded $998,621 in 2026-2027 Scientific Research Grants to 10 researchers at institutions across Florida. - The grants support projects at H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Mayo Clinic Jacksonville, the University of Central Florida, the University of Florida and the University of Miami. - Executive Director Karen Patti said the foundation is investing in Florida scientists whose work could lead to better therapies, improved outcomes and more lives saved.

The details: - H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute received three grants: Dr. Martina Molgora’s study on obesity and macrophage-targeting strategies in breast cancer; Dr. Thordur Oskarsson’s work on tetraspanin webs and chemoresistance in dormant breast cancer; and Dr. Vural Tagal’s project, “Coordinated Therapeutic Strikes along the Ploidy Axis.” - Mayo Clinic Jacksonville received funding for Dr. Saranya Chumsri’s AI-Enabled Spatial Single-Cell Immune Mapping in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer. - The University of Central Florida Board of Trustees received support for Dr. Wencai Zhang’s project on metabolic targeting of SDH to block metastasis in triple-negative breast cancer. - The University of Florida received four grants: Dr. Thomas Burris’ work on ERR agonists to prevent doxorubicin-induced heart failure; Dr. Rodrigo Cristofoletti’s Smart Trop-2 CAR-T with Synthetic Circuits for TNBC Precision; Dr. Sulma Mohammed’s study on the lymphatic network and breast cancer metastasis; and Dr. Weizhou Zhang’s research on FOXA1 in lobular breast cancer. - The University of Miami received funding for Dr. Xiaodong Cai’s work on accurate and cost-effective AI prognostic models for breast cancer. - FBCF said the grant program focuses on triple-negative and lobular breast cancers, metastasis, treatment resistance, precision immunotherapy, artificial intelligence, treatment-related heart damage and the relationship between obesity and breast cancer. - The foundation said the funding comes in part from sales of Florida’s End Breast Cancer specialty license plate, voluntary contributions tied to driver license and vehicle registration transactions, and donations through Pickups for Breast Cancer. - Patti said the support helps move promising ideas from the laboratory closer to patients and families who need them. - FBCF also recently awarded $146,440 in 2026-2027 Education Grants to 11 Florida organizations for breast cancer education, early detection, patient navigation, self-advocacy and survivorship programs.

Between the lines: - The grant slate shows a clear bet on translational research, with several projects aimed at specific pathways, immune profiling and engineered cell therapies rather than broad screening efforts. - The inclusion of AI-based prognostic models and single-cell immune mapping suggests FBCF is backing newer data-heavy approaches alongside established lab science. - The funding mix reflects a state-based model that ties public participation, via license plates and vehicle transactions, to biomedical research support.

What's next: - The funded teams will begin or continue work under the 2026-2027 grant cycle. - FBCF said the goal is to keep advancing research that can improve breast cancer care for Florida patients. - More information is available at FloridaBreastCancer.org.