How CRIPTO helps breast cancer cells adapt and spread
Coordination of stress-adaptive cell states by CRIPTO in breast cancer heterogeneity and progression
This project looks at whether blocking a protein called CRIPTO can keep breast cancer cells from changing in ways that help tumors resist treatment and spread.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Utah State Higher Education System--University of Utah NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Salt Lake City, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11262894 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers are studying a protein called CRIPTO (also called CR1) that appears to help breast cancer cells switch into stress-adaptive states that fuel relapse and metastasis. They will use human breast cancer cells grown in lab models, 3-D culture systems, and animal models to see how CRIPTO controls cell behavior and interactions with surrounding tissue. The team will test a candidate peptide drug (A4Fc) that blocks CRIPTO and measure effects on tumor growth, fibrosis, and spread. Molecular tools like ATAC-seq and signaling studies will be used to understand the mechanisms behind these changes.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with breast cancer—especially those with aggressive or treatment-resistant tumors—would be the most relevant group for future clinical testing based on this research.
Not a fit: People without breast cancer or with tumors that do not rely on CRIPTO-related signaling are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new therapies that stop cancer cells from adapting to stress and reduce treatment resistance and metastasis in breast cancer.
How similar studies have performed: Preclinical studies reported by the team showed that blocking CRIPTO with the A4Fc peptide reduced tumor growth under stress and blocked metastasis in mouse models, but human testing has not yet been done.
Where this research is happening
Salt Lake City, United States
- Utah State Higher Education System--University of Utah — Salt Lake City, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Spike, Benjamin T — Utah State Higher Education System--University of Utah
- Study coordinator: Spike, Benjamin T
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.