Blocking the engulfment of mesenchymal stem cells to stop breast cancer spread
Official title: Halting Breast Cancer Metastasis by Blocking Cancer-MSC Engulfment
Funded at University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh · NIH-11125028 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how breast cancer cells and special stem cells work together in the tumor area, which might help the cancer spread, and it hopes to find new ways to stop this process to improve treatment for breast cancer patients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project start | May 1, 2025 |
| Project end | April 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $180,632 |
| NIH project number | 1R21CA293424-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11125028 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with breast cancer, particularly those at risk of or experiencing metastasis.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with non-breast cancer-related conditions or those whose cancer has already progressed beyond the point of intervention may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how breast cancer cells interact with mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in the tumor microenvironment, which may contribute to cancer metastasis. Using advanced microfluidic technology, the study aims to understand the process of cancer cells engulfing MSCs and how this affects tumor growth and spread. By exploring the mechanisms behind these interactions, the research seeks to identify potential therapeutic targets to inhibit this process, potentially leading to improved treatment strategies for breast cancer patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new therapies that significantly reduce breast cancer metastasis, improving survival rates for patients.
How similar studies have gone: While the specific approach of blocking MSC engulfment is novel, related studies have shown promise in targeting tumor microenvironment interactions to improve cancer treatment outcomes.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Chen, Yu-Chih — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Chen, Yu-Chih
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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.