How some breast cancer cells lead tumor groups to spread
Leader cell development and function in Breast Tumor Collective Migration
Researchers are looking at special 'leader' tumor cells to understand how groups of breast cancer cells move and spread in people with breast cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11306022 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a patient perspective, the team will use tumor samples, blood samples, and lab models to watch how groups of breast cancer cells move through tissue. They will identify which cells act as 'leaders' at the front of a moving group and study how nearby support cells and the surrounding tissue help them. The researchers will use 3-D models, imaging, and animal models to test what happens when leader cell features are changed or blocked. The goal is to map the steps that let clusters of cancer cells travel toward blood and lymph vessels.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants would be people with breast cancer who can donate tumor tissue or blood samples (for circulating tumor cell studies) during surgery or clinic visits.
Not a fit: People without breast cancer or those who are not able or willing to provide tumor or blood samples would not directly benefit from participating.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new ways to stop or slow breast cancer spread by targeting the cells or signals that lead collective movement.
How similar studies have performed: Laboratory and animal studies have supported the idea that cell clusters and leader cells drive metastasis, but translating those findings into treatments is still early and unproven.
Where this research is happening
Saint Louis, United States
- Washington University — Saint Louis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Longmore, Gregory D. — Washington University
- Study coordinator: Longmore, Gregory 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.