How physical squeezing affects breast cancer stem cells
Official title: Investigation of Physical Constriction on Cancer Stem Cells
Funded at Albert Einstein College of Medicine · NIH-11451347 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at how physical forces encountered by cancer cells moving away from tumors may trigger stem-like traits that make them hard to treat.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Albert Einstein College of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Bronx, United States) |
| Project start | July 15, 2026 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $442,187 |
| NIH project number | 1R21CA309236-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11451347 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with breast cancer at risk of metastasis or residual disease after standard therapy may benefit from future interventions arising from this work.
✕Less likely to help
There may be no direct benefit to patients during the initial basic research phase, and some may not be eligible for any immediate clinical trials.
What this research studies
If approved, researchers will model the physical constraints that disseminating tumor cells experience and study how these forces influence cancer stem cell behavior. They will explore the YAP/TAZ signaling pathway as a potential link between mechanical stress and stemness. The work aims to identify new targets to prevent metastasis and improve therapy responses for breast cancer. Patients could benefit in the long term from therapies that counteract the physical cues that foster treatment-resistant cells.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Understanding how physical forces promote stem-like cancer cells could lead to new treatments that prevent relapse and metastasis.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have suggested a link between mechanotransduction pathways and cancer stem cell programs, supporting a potential path forward.
Where this research is happening
-
Albert Einstein College of Medicine
Bronx, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Entenberg, David — Albert Einstein College of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Entenberg, David
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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.