Choosing lab models that match real breast tumors using single-cell data
Single-cell congruence evaluation and selection of cancer models towards precision medicine
This project will match lab-grown cancer models to individual breast tumors using single-cell RNA information to help researchers develop better treatments for people with breast cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 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-11270829 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If I were a patient, researchers would compare my tumor tissue with lab models like cell lines, patient-derived xenografts (PDX), and organoids (PDO) using single-cell RNA sequencing to find the best matches. They will map tumor subclones and the different cell types in the tumor microenvironment and link these patterns to clinical details. The team will create scores to pick the models that most closely reflect each patient's tumor and study how those matches change over time in patient-derived models. This should help researchers choose better models when testing treatments that might benefit patients in the future.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants are people with breast cancer who can provide tumor tissue or already have tumor-derived models (PDX or organoids) available for single-cell profiling.
Not a fit: Patients without available tumor tissue, those with cancers other than breast cancer, or those unwilling to donate samples are unlikely to benefit directly from participation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could make preclinical testing more predictive so new breast cancer therapies are more likely to work in patients.
How similar studies have performed: Single-cell approaches have shown promise in linking model systems to human tumor features, but comprehensive, clinically-ready model-selection tools remain relatively new.
Where this research is happening
Pittsburgh, United States
- University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh — Pittsburgh, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Tseng, George C. — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Tseng, George C.
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.