How clusters of breast cancer cells help cancer spread
Role of tumor cell cluster-induced signaling in breast cancer metastasis
Researchers are looking at how groups of breast cancer cells talk to each other to promote spread, aiming to find ways to stop or slow metastatic breast cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R37 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11249975 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project studies small groups of breast cancer cells (called clusters) that travel together and seed new tumors. Scientists will use laboratory experiments, mouse models, and analyses of human tumor and blood samples to find the signals that make clustered cells more resistant to therapy and better at growing in new organs. The team is focused on cell-to-cell signaling involving EGFR and its ligand Epigen as key drivers of cluster behavior. Findings will guide ideas for treatments that might specifically target these clusters to reduce metastasis.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Patients with breast cancer—especially those with metastatic disease or willing to donate tumor tissue or blood samples—would be the most relevant participants for related studies.
Not a fit: People with cancers other than breast cancer or patients seeking immediate therapeutic benefit should not expect direct help from this preclinical-focused work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new treatments that prevent or reduce metastatic spread in people with breast cancer.
How similar studies have performed: Prior studies in mice and observational human data show that tumor cell clusters are linked to worse outcomes and resistance, but therapies that specifically block cluster-driven signaling remain largely unproven.
Where this research is happening
Seattle, United States
- Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center — Seattle, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Cheung, Kevin Jon — Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center
- Study coordinator: Cheung, Kevin Jon
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.