Creatine metabolism and breast cancer spread
Reprogramming of creatine metabolism in breast cancer metastasis
This work explores whether changing creatine metabolism can make breast cancer less likely to spread.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Johns Hopkins University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11257263 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers at Johns Hopkins are focusing on a protein called CKMT1 that controls creatine and phosphocreatine in cells. They study breast cancer cells in lab dishes, mouse models, and tumor tissues from patients to compare creatine levels and CKMT1 expression. The team raises or lowers CKMT1 in cells to see how that affects cancer cell movement, invasion, and metastatic growth, and they measure related signals like reactive oxygen species and adhesion changes. The goal is to learn whether shifting creatine metabolism could reduce the chance that breast cancer spreads.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with breast cancer—particularly those with tumors at risk of or already showing metastatic behavior—would be the most relevant candidates for related tissue donations or translational studies.
Not a fit: People without breast cancer or with tumor types that do not show CKMT1/creatine changes are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could point to new ways to prevent or limit breast cancer metastasis by targeting creatine metabolism.
How similar studies have performed: Preliminary cell, mouse, and patient-tissue data suggest CKMT1 affects creatine metabolism and metastatic behavior, but targeting creatine metabolism for metastasis control is relatively new and not yet proven in patients.
Where this research is happening
Baltimore, United States
- Johns Hopkins University — Baltimore, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Glunde, Kristine — Johns Hopkins University
- Study coordinator: Glunde, Kristine
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.