How the CXCR4 cell receptor controls cell signaling
Regulation of chemokine receptor signaling
Researchers are looking at how the CXCR4 receptor sends signals inside cells that can help some cancers spread, aiming to inform future treatments for people with CXCR4-driven cancers.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Medical College of Wisconsin NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Milwaukee, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11168973 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project focuses on CXCR4, a cell surface receptor that guides immune and cancer cell movement and is linked to worse outcomes in many cancers. Scientists will work mostly with lab-grown cells and reconstitution assays to study how CXCR4 interacts with partners like β-arrestins, PKCδ, and A-kinase anchoring proteins (AKAPs). They will use biophysical and biochemical tests, proximity-labeling methods, multi-label fluorescence microscopy, and live-cell imaging to map signaling events in different cell compartments. The goal is to reveal mechanisms that could be targeted to reduce CXCR4-driven metastasis.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with cancers known to overexpress CXCR4—for example certain breast, lung, or other metastatic tumors—are the populations most likely to benefit from eventual therapies informed by this work.
Not a fit: Patients whose cancers do not involve CXCR4 signaling, or those with non-cancer conditions, are unlikely to benefit directly from this specific research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could uncover targets to block CXCR4-driven cancer spread and guide development of new anti-metastasis therapies.
How similar studies have performed: Prior laboratory studies have shown CXCR4 plays a key role in cell movement and drugs like plerixafor can block CXCR4, but translating these findings into broadly effective anti-metastasis cancer therapies remains limited.
Where this research is happening
Milwaukee, United States
- Medical College of Wisconsin — Milwaukee, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Marchese, Adriano — Medical College of Wisconsin
- Study coordinator: Marchese, Adriano
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.