How aging tissues change cancer behavior
Impact of the aging niche on cancer phenotypes probed using mouse cancer models produced by somatic engineering.
Researchers are using new mouse models to learn how older bodies make cancers grow and respond differently, with the goal of informing better treatments for older adults.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Sloan-Kettering Inst Can Research NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11137835 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project uses engineered mice to mimic cancers that arise in older bodies so scientists can study how the aged tissue environment affects tumors. Investigators introduce cancer-causing mutations directly into organs of aged mice and then analyze tumor cells, immune cells, and surrounding tissues in detail. The work combines state-of-the-art tissue and molecular analyses to identify age-related changes that alter tumor growth and immune surveillance. Findings aim to reveal targets or strategies that could improve cancer care for older patients.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Older adults with cancer, especially those whose tumors show signs of age-related biology or who are being considered for immune-based treatments, would be the most likely to benefit from insights generated here.
Not a fit: People without cancer, or patients whose tumors are driven by mechanisms unrelated to aging, may not see direct benefit in the near term.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could point to new ways to tailor cancer treatments for older adults or improve responses to therapies such as immunotherapy.
How similar studies have performed: Related engineered mouse models have successfully reproduced key features of human tumors and informed therapies, but using these models specifically to study aging effects is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
New York, United States
- Sloan-Kettering Inst Can Research — New York, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lowe, Scott W. — Sloan-Kettering Inst Can Research
- Study coordinator: Lowe, Scott W.
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.