How triple-negative breast cancer cells and their surroundings change when the cancer spreads to other organs
Decoding the co-evolution of cancer subclones and their ecosystem in TNBC multi-organ metastasis
This project will use DNA, RNA, and spatial maps from cancer cells collected across multiple organs in people with metastatic triple‑negative breast cancer to learn how tumor cells and their environment change as the disease spreads.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11301913 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you or a loved one has metastatic triple‑negative breast cancer (mTNBC), this work looks at cancer cells from the primary tumor and from metastases in organs like the lung, liver, and brain to understand how they evolve. The team collects postmortem tissues through MD Anderson’s Final Gift Program and applies a high‑throughput nanowell method that measures DNA and RNA from the same single cells. They combine those single‑cell data with new spatial genomic technologies to see where different cancer cell subclones sit in the tissue and how they interact with surrounding cells. By reconstructing clonal lineages and the order of genetic changes, the researchers aim to map how metastasis develops across organs.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with metastatic triple‑negative breast cancer who are willing to enroll in MD Anderson’s Final Gift postmortem tissue donation program are the best candidates for contributing to this research.
Not a fit: People without metastatic TNBC, those who cannot or will not participate in postmortem tissue donation, or those looking for immediate treatment options are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Better maps of how mTNBC spreads and adapts across organs could point to new targets for therapies or ways to predict which tumors will seed dangerous metastases.
How similar studies have performed: Single‑cell and spatial genomic methods have already provided valuable insights into tumor heterogeneity, but using coordinated multi‑organ postmortem samples in mTNBC is relatively new and less tested.
Where this research is happening
Houston, United States
- University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr — Houston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Navin, Nicholas — University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr
- Study coordinator: Navin, Nicholas
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.