Dormancy in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer: How Liver and Skin Metastases Go Quiet or Reactivate
Official title: Mapping the Transition to Dormancy in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Liver and Skin Metastases Using Microfluidic Organ-on-Chip Models
Funded at Massachusetts Institute of Technology · NIH-11531542 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers will study how dormant cancer cells in liver and skin metastases of triple-negative breast cancer become quiescent or wake up, using organ-on-chip models and single-cell analysis to map chromatin states.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts Institute of Technology NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cambridge, United States) |
| Project start | May 1, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $496,950 |
| NIH project number | 3U54CA261694-05S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11531542 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with triple-negative breast cancer who have or are at risk for liver or skin metastases could potentially benefit from advances inspired by this research.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without metastatic TNBC or without liver/skin involvement are unlikely to directly benefit from this specific research.
What this research studies
This project uses microfluidic organ-on-chip models of human liver and skin to mimic the metastatic environment of triple-negative breast cancer. By applying multiplex single-cell phenotyping and high-resolution chromatin imaging, researchers will classify dormant versus proliferative cancer cells and map their chromatin states. An inverse inference pipeline and physics-based modeling will translate microenvironment cues into predictive chromatin parameters, aiming to uncover rules that govern dormancy and reactivation. The work builds on existing metastasis research networks and seeks to produce organ-specific descriptors that could guide future therapies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to better predictions of when dormant cancer cells might reactivate and inform strategies to prevent relapse in TNBC patients.
How similar studies have gone: Prior organ-on-chip and single-cell chromatin studies have demonstrated feasibility in mapping metastasis-related states, supporting potential success of this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Cambridge, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kamm, Roger D — Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- Study coordinator: Kamm, Roger D
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Genomic study to understand how genetics and epigenetics shape triple-negative breast cancer in African ancestry
This study looks at how inherited genes and gene activity affect triple-negative breast cancer in people of African ancestry to better understand why outcomes can be worse.
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A study aims to block two cancer-promoting pathways (IL-6 and CDK4/6) to prevent or reduce progression of triple-negative breast cancer in women veterans.
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-
Rac-enhanced CAR-Macrophages against TNBC
A new cell therapy approach uses engineered macrophages with a CAR and Rac2 activation to target and kill triple-negative breast cancer cells expressing CSPG4.
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A new peptide therapy called PEG-FUD is being tested to help treat metastatic triple-negative breast cancer by normalizing the tumor environment to improve treatment delivery.
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A non-invasive imaging approach using light-based sound waves (photoacoustic imaging) is being developed to guide and personalize antibody-drug conjugate therapy for women with triple-negative breast cancer.
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.