How some breast cancers change their cell type to spread
Uncovering the basis and implications of lineage plasticity in breast cancer
Researchers are looking at how certain breast cancers switch cell identity and how that change affects their chance to spread and respond to treatment.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Medical College of Wisconsin NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Milwaukee, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11309562 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
As a patient, you would hear that scientists are examining tumor samples to see how breast cancer cells shift from a luminal to a basal-like state. They compare primary tumors and metastases and study changes in gene control and chromatin rather than just DNA mutations, using laboratory mapping methods on patient-derived samples. The team links this cellular plasticity to metastatic ability and chemotherapy sensitivity to understand why some cancers spread more easily. Their work could point to markers that identify higher-risk tumors or new targets to prevent progression.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with luminal B breast cancer or anyone able to provide primary or metastatic tumor samples would be most relevant to this research.
Not a fit: Patients with unrelated diseases or breast cancer subtypes not showing luminal-to-basal changes may not see direct benefits from this project in the near term.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help doctors identify which breast cancers are likely to spread and tailor treatments to reduce that risk.
How similar studies have performed: Other studies have suggested cell identity changes play a role in progression, but focusing on chromatin-driven lineage switching as a metastasis mechanism is a relatively new approach.
Where this research is happening
Milwaukee, United States
- Medical College of Wisconsin — Milwaukee, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Miller, Todd W. — Medical College of Wisconsin
- Study coordinator: Miller, Todd W.
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.