How physical forces help cancer spread to and grow in specific organs
Mechanical determinants of organ-selective metastatic colonization, dormancy and outgrowth
Looks at how physical forces and tissue environments help cancer cells spread to and grow in other organs for people with cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts Institute of Technology NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cambridge, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11182474 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers recreate steps of metastasis using lab-grown 3-D models and live systems that mimic how tumor cells invade, enter and exit blood vessels, and settle in organs. They use high-resolution time-lapse imaging, mechanical measurements, and computer simulations to track forces on tumor cells and how those forces change cell structure and gene activity. The team will also examine chromatin structure and the tumor cell transcriptome to link mechanical stress with lasting cellular changes. Together these methods aim to uncover mechanical vulnerabilities cancer cells use during dormancy and outgrowth that could be targeted in future therapies.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with metastatic cancer, those at high risk of metastasis, or patients willing to donate tumor tissue or blood samples would be most relevant to this work.
Not a fit: People without cancer or those unable or unwilling to provide tissue or blood samples are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this basic science center.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could point to new ways to prevent or stop cancer spread by targeting the physical weaknesses cancer cells use to colonize organs.
How similar studies have performed: Prior lab and computational studies have revealed important details about cell movement and survival, but translating those findings into effective patient treatments has been limited to date.
Where this research is happening
Cambridge, United States
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology — Cambridge, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kamm, Roger D — Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- Study coordinator: Kamm, Roger D
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.