How the tissue around a bladder tumor affects cancer growth
The stromal microenvironment as a co-organizer of bladder carcinogenesis and progression
['FUNDING_OTHER'] · METHODIST HOSPITAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE · NIH-11192236
Researchers will map cells and proteins in bladder tumors and nearby tissue to better understand early bladder cancer and how it progresses.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_OTHER'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | METHODIST HOSPITAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (HOUSTON, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11192236 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
This effort collects past and new samples of non–muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) and links them to clinical outcomes. The team will use spatial transcriptomics and proteomics to see where different cells and proteins sit within tumors and the surrounding stromal tissue. A centralized bioinformatics core will analyze these maps to find patterns tied to tumors that later progress to muscle-invasive disease. Tissues and data will be shared with other researchers to speed follow-up studies and possible new treatments.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are people with non–muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) who can provide tumor tissue or consent to prospective sample collection and clinical follow-up.
Not a fit: People without bladder cancer or those with late-stage metastatic disease may not receive direct benefit from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could reveal tissue patterns that predict which early bladder cancers will progress and point to targets for new therapies.
How similar studies have performed: Spatial transcriptomics and proteomics have shown promise in mapping tumor microenvironments in other cancers, but applying these methods to predict progression of NMIBC is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
HOUSTON, UNITED STATES
- METHODIST HOSPITAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE — HOUSTON, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: LEWIS, MICHAEL STANLEY — METHODIST HOSPITAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE
- Study coordinator: LEWIS, MICHAEL STANLEY
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.
Conditions: Bladder Cancer, Cancer Induction