NIH-funded research Career grant

How platelets affect the lung environment in breast cancer spread

Official title: The Role of Platelets in Establishing the Lung Pre-Metastatic Niche in Breast Cancer

Funded at Brigham and Women's Hospital · NIH-10894750 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is looking at how platelets in the blood help create a friendly environment in the lungs for breast cancer cells to spread, with the hope of finding new ways to stop this from happening and help patients avoid the cancer spreading further.

Quick facts

Grant typeCareer grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionBrigham and Women's Hospital
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Boston, United States)
Project startAugust 1, 2023
Project endJuly 31, 2025
Funding year2024
Award (this year)$178,200
NIH project number5K99CA283008-02
Project IDNIH-10894750 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Ideal candidates for this research are breast cancer patients who are at risk of developing metastatic disease.

Less likely to help

Patients with non-breast cancers or those who are not at risk for metastasis may not benefit from this research.

What this research studies

This research investigates how platelets contribute to the formation of a supportive environment in the lungs that allows breast cancer cells to spread. It aims to understand the mechanisms by which platelets influence this pre-metastatic niche, which is a critical step in the progression of breast cancer. By examining the interactions between platelets and immune cells in the lung, the study seeks to identify potential therapeutic targets to prevent metastasis. Patients may benefit from insights that could lead to new preventive strategies against breast cancer spread.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments that prevent breast cancer from spreading to the lungs.

How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown that targeting the pre-metastatic niche can be effective, suggesting that this approach may yield promising results.

Where this research is happening

  • Brigham and Women's Hospital
    Boston, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Roweth, Harvey George — Brigham and Women's Hospital
  • Study coordinator: Roweth, Harvey George

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.