Blocking brain immune cells that help cancer spread to the brain
Investigate and inhibit microglia support of brain metastases
This project aims to stop brain immune cells called microglia from helping metastatic cancers grow in people with brain metastases.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Stanford University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Stanford, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11174235 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You may be asked to donate tumor tissue or samples so researchers can study the cells around brain metastases. Scientists will use single-cell RNA sequencing on fresh human tumor and nearby normal brain and will analyze cell-free RNA to see how microglia behave. They will build lab models that include microglia, including 3-D models and complementary animal studies, to watch interactions and test ways to block microglia support. The goal is to find targets that can be turned into treatments to slow or stop tumor growth in the brain.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are people with cancer that has spread to the brain or patients willing to donate surgical tumor samples or participate in related clinical studies.
Not a fit: People without brain metastases or those not eligible for biopsy or surgical sample donation may not receive direct benefit from this research initially.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new therapies that slow or stop the growth of brain metastases and improve neurological outcomes.
How similar studies have performed: Previous work shows microglia and macrophage behavior can affect tumor growth, but directly targeting microglia in brain metastases is a relatively new and developing approach.
Where this research is happening
Stanford, United States
- Stanford University — Stanford, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hayden Gephart, Melanie — Stanford University
- Study coordinator: Hayden Gephart, Melanie
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 below.