Cholesterol production and the spread and return of uterine (endometrial) cancer
The role of cholesterol biosynthesis in metastatic and recurrent endometrialcancer
This work looks at whether blocking cancer cells' cholesterol-making machinery can help stop endometrial cancer from spreading or coming back in people whose tumors have PTEN-related changes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Missouri-Columbia NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Columbia, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11258031 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers use a genetically engineered mouse model that mimics human endometrial cancer driven by PTEN and MIG‑6 changes to study why some tumors spread and recur. They compare primary tumors, metastatic sites, and recurrent growths for activation of the cholesterol biosynthesis pathway and related molecular signatures. The team manipulates MIG‑6 and cholesterol-making enzymes with genetic tools and drug approaches to see how those changes affect tumor spread and recurrence. Findings from tumor tissue analysis and intervention experiments could point to cholesterol-related targets for future patient therapies.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with metastatic or recurrent endometrial cancer, especially those whose tumors have PTEN mutations or similar molecular changes, would be most relevant to the questions this work addresses.
Not a fit: Patients with early-stage, low‑risk endometrial cancer or those whose tumors lack PTEN/MIG‑6 alterations are less likely to gain direct benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could reveal whether targeting cholesterol synthesis offers a new way to prevent or treat metastatic and recurrent endometrial cancer.
How similar studies have performed: Some prior studies in other cancer types have linked cholesterol biosynthesis to tumor progression, but applying this approach to metastatic or recurrent endometrial cancer is relatively new and mainly at the preclinical stage.
Where this research is happening
Columbia, United States
- University of Missouri-Columbia — Columbia, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Jeong, Jae-Wook — University of Missouri-Columbia
- Study coordinator: Jeong, Jae-Wook
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.