How cancer cells hide and spread in the body
Functional Determinants of Metastatic Dormancy
This research aims to understand how cancer cells can remain hidden for years before causing new tumors, hoping to find ways to stop them from ever returning.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Albert Einstein College of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Bronx, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11111346 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Many cancer patients face the risk of their cancer returning years after treatment, often due to cancer cells that have spread and are 'sleeping' in other parts of the body. This project explores how these hidden cancer cells, called disseminated cancer cells (DCCs), manage to survive in a dormant state and avoid current therapies. We are looking into the specific signals from the original tumor and the new organs that tell these cells to go into hiding. Our goal is to uncover these mechanisms so we can develop new strategies to wake up or eliminate these dormant cells, preventing cancer from coming back.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Patients who have been treated for cancer, especially those with epithelial cancers like breast cancer, and are at risk for future metastasis might benefit from the knowledge gained.
Not a fit: Patients whose cancer has not spread or who are not at risk for metastasis may not directly benefit from this specific research focus.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new treatments that prevent cancer from spreading or returning years after initial therapy, improving long-term outcomes for patients.
How similar studies have performed: While the concept of cancer dormancy is recognized, this research explores novel mechanisms and specific genetic programs that control this process.
Where this research is happening
Bronx, United States
- Albert Einstein College of Medicine — Bronx, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Aguirre-Ghiso, Julio a. — Albert Einstein College of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Aguirre-Ghiso, Julio a.
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.