How breast cancer spreads and how surrounding tissues change its behavior
Evolutionary dynamics and microenvironmental determinants of metastatic breast cancer
['FUNDING_OTHER'] · STANFORD UNIVERSITY · NIH-11178532
This project studies how breast cancer cells evolve as they spread and how nearby tissues affect their response to treatments for people with metastatic breast cancer.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_OTHER'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | STANFORD UNIVERSITY (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (STANFORD, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11178532 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
This center brings together patient tissue collections, lab-grown tumor organoids, and computer models to recreate how breast cancer changes over time and across metastatic sites. Researchers use clinically annotated, longitudinal tumor samples taken through treatment and at metastasis alongside a living biobank of patient-derived organoids to capture disease diversity. Laboratory experiments, including CRISPR-based approaches, and mechanistic computational models are used to test how tumor cells resist therapies and evade the immune system. The team links findings from models back to real patient samples to pinpoint drivers of relapse and therapy failure.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with primary or metastatic breast cancer who can provide tumor samples or enroll in longitudinal tissue collection at participating sites would be ideal candidates to contribute to this work.
Not a fit: People without breast cancer or those not able or willing to provide tissue samples or travel to participating centers are unlikely to directly benefit from participation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could improve prediction of which cancers will spread and point to new ways to prevent or overcome treatment resistance.
How similar studies have performed: Patient-derived organoids, longitudinal tissue cohorts, and computational tumor models have shown promise individually, and this program integrates them in a relatively novel way focused on metastasis.
Where this research is happening
STANFORD, UNITED STATES
- STANFORD UNIVERSITY — STANFORD, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: CURTIS, CHRISTINA N — STANFORD UNIVERSITY
- Study coordinator: CURTIS, CHRISTINA N
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.
Conditions: Breast Cancer, Breast Cancer Model, Breast Cancer Patient