Blocking the engulfment of mesenchymal stem cells to stop breast cancer spread
Halting Breast Cancer Metastasis by Blocking Cancer-MSC Engulfment
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 ID | NIH-11125028 on NIH RePORTER |
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.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with breast cancer, particularly those at risk of or experiencing metastasis.
Not a fit: 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.
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 performed: 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
Pittsburgh, United States
- 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
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.