How amyloid-like bodies help cancers adapt
Amyloid-bodies and the Evolution of Malignancies
Researchers are studying how amyloid-like bodies inside cancer cells help tumors survive stress, which could matter for people with many types of cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Miami School of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Coral Gables, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11144424 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project looks at unusual amyloid-like compartments that form inside cells under stress and are seen in some human tumors. Scientists will examine tumor tissue, cell models, and animal models and use molecular and proteomic techniques to see which proteins get trapped in these bodies and how that changes DNA replication and cell division. They will trace specific noncoding RNAs and protein interactions that drive formation of these Amyloid-bodies and compare findings to samples from low-grade human tumors. The aim is to identify points where future therapies could prevent tumors from using this adaptation to survive treatment.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants would be people with accessible tumor tissue (especially low-grade tumors) who are willing to donate surgical or biopsy samples or share clinical data for laboratory research.
Not a fit: Patients seeking an immediate new therapy or a therapeutic clinical trial are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this basic science-focused project at this time.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal new targets to make tumors less able to survive stress, potentially improving the effectiveness of cancer treatments in the future.
How similar studies have performed: The project builds on established amyloid biology in other diseases but applying amyloid-like mechanisms to cancer is a novel, early-stage approach with limited prior clinical success.
Where this research is happening
Coral Gables, United States
- University of Miami School of Medicine — Coral Gables, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lee, Stephen — University of Miami School of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Lee, Stephen
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.