Better treatments for metastatic breast cancer using patient-derived tumor models
Official title: Research Project 2: Identify and validate efficacious therapies for metastatic breast cancer
Funded at Utah State Higher Education System--University of Utah · NIH-11177952 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers use lab-grown tumor models made from people with metastatic breast cancer to find drug combinations and molecular markers that could help pick better treatments.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Utah State Higher Education System--University of Utah NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Salt Lake City, United States) |
| Project start | September 25, 2017 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $295,107 |
| NIH project number | 5U54CA224076-07 |
| Project ID | NIH-11177952 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with metastatic breast cancer—especially those who can provide tumor tissue or have had samples saved from surgery or biopsy—are the most likely candidates to benefit or participate in related trials.
✕Less likely to help
People with early-stage breast cancer, or patients without available tumor samples, are unlikely to benefit directly from this preclinical modeling work.
What this research studies
This project uses tumor samples from people with metastatic breast cancer to grow lab models such as patient-derived xenografts (PDX), organoids, and tissue slices. Those models are exposed to many drugs and drug combinations to see which ones shrink tumors in the lab and in mouse models. Genetic and molecular data are compared to drug responses to find biomarkers that predict who will respond. Computer algorithms then prioritize the most promising combinations for future clinical testing and NCI-IND treatment development.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new drug combinations and matching tests that give people with metastatic breast cancer more effective, personalized treatment options.
How similar studies have gone: Previous laboratory and animal studies using organoids and PDX models have shown promising agreement with tumor drug responses, but translating these findings into standard clinical treatments is still emerging.
Where this research is happening
-
Utah State Higher Education System--University of Utah
Salt Lake City, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Welm, Alana L. — Utah State Higher Education System--University of Utah
- Study coordinator: Welm, Alana L.
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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.