A shortened GLI1 protein and tiny RNA signals linked to breast cancer spread to the brain
Official title: Roles of tGLI1 and microRNA Network in Breast Cancer Brain Metastasis
Funded at Texas A&m University Health Science Ctr · NIH-11358118 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at whether a shortened form of the GLI1 protein and certain microRNAs help breast cancer cells move to and grow in the brain.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Texas A&m University Health Science Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (College Station, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2020 |
| Project end | March 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $402,958 |
| NIH project number | 7R01CA228137-08 |
| Project ID | NIH-11358118 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with breast cancer—especially those with metastatic disease, lymph node involvement, or who are at higher risk for brain metastasis—would be the most relevant candidates to provide samples or join related future trials.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with unrelated conditions or those with early-stage breast cancer who are not at risk of metastasis should not expect direct benefit from this basic/translational research at present.
What this research studies
Researchers are studying a shortened version of the GLI1 protein (called tGLI1) that appears to make breast cancer cells more likely to spread to the brain. They compare cancer cells with high or low tGLI1 in lab dishes and in mice, and they study small packets called exosomes that carry microRNAs between cells. The team measures specific microRNAs (including miR-1290 and miR-1246), tests how cancer cells activate brain astrocytes, and reduces tGLI1 to see if that lowers brain metastasis. They also examine tumor samples from patients to see how often tGLI1 and these microRNAs are present in human metastases.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to tests that predict brain spread and new treatments targeting tGLI1 or its microRNA signals to prevent or slow brain metastases.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work has linked GLI1-related pathways and tumor exosomal microRNAs to metastasis, but the specific role of tGLI1 in driving brain-specific spread is a newer finding being explored here.
Where this research is happening
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Texas A&m University Health Science Ctr
College Station, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lo, Hui-Wen — Texas A&m University Health Science Ctr
- Study coordinator: Lo, Hui-Wen
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.