The project titled "Investigation of the Role of PLIN1/PLIN4 Mediated Lipid Metabolism in Ferroptosis Resistance, EMT, and Lymphatic Metastasis in Breast Cancer at the Molecular, Immunohistochemical, and Clinicopathological Level," led by Assist.Prof.Dr. Hakan Küçüksayan, a faculty member of Kastamonu University Faculty of Medicine, has been awarded support under the A4 Project Support Program (2026-A4) for Academics by the Turkish Health Institutes Presidency (TÜSEB).

 The project will last 12 months and will have a budget of 500.000 TL. The project team includes  Assist.Prof.Dr. Nurtaç Sarıkaş from Kastamonu University Faculty of Medicine, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ertan Küçüksayan from Alanya Alaaddin Keykubat University, and Assist.Prof.Dr. Şakir Akgün from Kafkas University, as a researcher.

 Within the scope of the project, the effects of PLIN1 and PLIN4, which regulate lipid droplets involved in tumor cell energy storage and utilization, on ferroptosis resistance, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and lymphatic metastasis in breast cancer will be examined.

In the study, molecular, immunohistochemical, and clinicopathological analyses will be conducted using cell culture models and patient tissue samples. In this way, it is aimed to reveal the relationships between the PLIN1 and PLIN4 proteins and tumor aggressiveness, metastatic spread, and disease prognosis. The project is expected to contribute to a better understanding of the biological mechanisms of breast cancer, identify new biomarkers to predict the course of the disease, and provide a scientific foundation for targeted treatment approaches that may be developed in the future. 

Our Rector, Prof. Dr. Ahmet Hamdi Topal, stated in his evaluation of the project that scientific research conducted in the field of health contributes to our University's scientific output. Our Rector stated, "The fact that our researchers are conducting projects supported at the national level contributes to the diversification of scientific research activities at our University." I believe the results will contribute to both understanding cancer biology and the development of innovative treatment approaches in the future. I congratulate our academics involved in the project and wish them success in their work.”

Our Rector also thanked the YÖK President, Prof. Dr. Erol Özvar, and YÖK members for their support for research in higher education, and the TÜSEB President, Prof. Dr. Ümit Kervan, for their contributions to university projects.