How lymph node cancer spread helps tumors hide from the immune system
Project 1 Mouse Models Analysis
This project tests whether cancer cells in lymph nodes reprogram immune cells to let tumors spread, aiming to help people with solid cancers that have spread to nearby lymph nodes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Stanford University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Stanford, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11176383 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers use mouse models to follow how tumor cells enter lymph nodes and change nearby immune and support cells. They trace the altered immune cells as they move through the body to see if they make distant organs easier for tumors to grow. The team compares mouse findings with human lymph node samples to confirm the results apply to people. High-resolution cell and gene analyses plus tools like CRISPR are used to identify the key cell interactions and signals.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with solid tumors, especially those who have or are at high risk for lymph node metastases, are the most relevant group for future trials based on this work.
Not a fit: People without solid cancers or those needing immediate clinical treatment are unlikely to get direct benefit from this basic and preclinical research right now.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to ways to stop tumors from turning off the immune system and prevent metastatic spread.
How similar studies have performed: Previous mouse and human tissue studies have suggested immune changes in lymph node metastases, but translating these findings into proven therapies is still largely untested.
Where this research is happening
Stanford, United States
- Stanford University — Stanford, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Engleman, Edgar G. — Stanford University
- Study coordinator: Engleman, Edgar G.
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.