How immune cells stick and move in cancer
Adhesive regulation during cell migration
This work looks at how neutrophils and cancer cells move and stick together in liver cancer (including fibrolamellar carcinoma) and melanoma to learn how that affects tumor growth.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Wisconsin-Madison NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Madison, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11240283 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers use tiny transparent zebrafish where they can watch neutrophils, macrophages, and cancer cells moving in real time inside tumors. They model melanoma and an early-onset liver cancer similar to human fibrolamellar carcinoma to see how tumors call in and change neutrophils. The team manipulates signaling pathways in the tumor and immune cells to see which signals drive neutrophil recruitment and how 'educated' neutrophils then influence tumor progression. Imaging and genetic tools in the fish let them link specific cell behaviors to changes in tumor growth.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with liver cancer (including fibrolamellar carcinoma) or melanoma, or those willing to donate clinical samples for related studies, would be the most relevant patient groups for this research.
Not a fit: Patients seeking immediate treatment benefits should not expect direct help from this lab-based research, and people without liver or skin cancers are unlikely to be affected.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to ways to block tumor-promoting inflammation or to harness neutrophils to slow cancer progression.
How similar studies have performed: Previous zebrafish imaging studies have revealed how immune and cancer cells interact in tumors, but the specific role of neutrophils in promoting or blocking tumor growth remains an active and not fully settled area.
Where this research is happening
Madison, United States
- University of Wisconsin-Madison — Madison, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Huttenlocher, Anna — University of Wisconsin-Madison
- Study coordinator: Huttenlocher, Anna
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.