Investigating a new way to target cancer spread in the brain's protective layers
Official title: Defining and targeting a novel pathway for central nervous system leptomeningeal metastasis
Funded at Duke University · NIH-10755687 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain leukemia cells can sneak into the brain and spread, with the goal of finding new ways to stop this from happening and help patients with blood cancers and other tumors that affect the brain.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Duke University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Durham, United States) |
| Project start | January 6, 2020 |
| Project end | December 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $335,505 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA234580-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-10755687 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia or other cancers that have a high risk of spreading to the leptomeninges.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with cancers that do not metastasize to the leptomeninges or those without central nervous system involvement may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding how certain cancer cells, particularly from acute lymphoblastic leukemia, invade the protective layers of the brain known as the leptomeninges. The researchers aim to identify the specific mechanisms and signaling pathways that allow these cancer cells to bypass the blood-brain barrier and spread within the central nervous system. By studying the interactions between cancer cells and the surrounding blood vessels, the team hopes to develop targeted therapies that could prevent or reduce leptomeningeal metastasis. This approach could lead to new treatment options for patients with hematologic malignancies and solid tumors that metastasize to the brain.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new targeted therapies that significantly improve survival rates for patients with leptomeningeal metastasis.
How similar studies have gone: While this approach is novel in targeting leptomeningeal metastasis, similar research has shown promise in understanding cancer cell migration and targeting mechanisms in other contexts.
Where this research is happening
-
Duke University
Durham, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sipkins, Dorothy a — Duke University
- Study coordinator: Sipkins, Dorothy a
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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.