How tumors, immune cells, and support tissue interact to drive cancer spread
Systems Biology of Tumor-Immune-Stromal Interactions in Metastatic Progression
This project looks at how tumors and nearby immune and support cells in lymph nodes help cancers spread in people with head and neck or lung cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Stanford University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Stanford, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11176380 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You may be asked to provide tumor and lymph node tissue, and to allow access to imaging and clinical data so researchers can track how cancer cells and immune cells change over time. The team will compare samples from primary tumors, nearby lymph nodes, and distant sites using detailed molecular tests and imaging. Work combines laboratory analyses with clinical information from patients treated at Stanford and partner clinics. Results will be used to spot early immune changes that let cancer spread and to guide possible new treatments.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are people with head and neck cancer or lung adenocarcinoma who are undergoing surgery or lymph node sampling at Stanford or a participating site.
Not a fit: People with cancers outside the targeted types, those not having lymph node sampling, or patients unable to receive care at participating sites may not directly benefit from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to earlier detection of metastatic risk and new immune-based approaches to stop cancer from spreading.
How similar studies have performed: Prior research suggests lymph node metastases can change immune responses, but turning that knowledge into treatments to block spread is still early and not yet proven.
Where this research is happening
Stanford, United States
- Stanford University — Stanford, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Plevritis, Sylvia Katina — Stanford University
- Study coordinator: Plevritis, Sylvia Katina
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.