Investigating chimeric RNAs in bladder cancer metastasis
Official title: Chimeric RNAs and their implication in lymphatic metastasis of bladder cancer
Funded at University of Virginia · NIH-10769861 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain RNA changes in bladder cancer might help the cancer spread through the lymph nodes, with the hope of finding new ways to diagnose and treat patients facing this tough disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Virginia NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Charlottesville, United States) |
| Project start | March 1, 2020 |
| Project end | February 28, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $195,618 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA245905-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-10769861 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include patients diagnosed with bladder cancer, especially those experiencing lymphatic metastasis.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with non-metastatic bladder cancer or those with other types of cancer may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding how chimeric RNAs contribute to the spread of bladder cancer through lymphatic pathways. By studying gene fusions and RNA splicing processes, the researchers aim to identify unique chimeric RNAs that may serve as biomarkers or therapeutic targets. The approach involves advanced genomic techniques to analyze RNA samples from bladder cancer patients, particularly those with lymph node metastasis. This could lead to new diagnostic tools and treatment strategies for patients suffering from this aggressive form of cancer.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved diagnostic methods and targeted therapies for bladder cancer patients, potentially enhancing survival rates.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in identifying gene fusions in other cancers, suggesting that this approach may yield valuable insights for bladder cancer as well.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Virginia
Charlottesville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Li, Hui — University of Virginia
- Study coordinator: Li, Hui
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Understanding how bladder cancer spreads and how to stop it
This grant studies why bladder cancer spreads to other parts of the body and uses mouse models to test new ideas for stopping metastasis.
-
How bladder cancer spreads
Researchers are using new mouse models and computer analysis to find the molecular switches that make bladder cancer spread, with the goal of helping people with advanced bladder cancer.
-
Understanding how bladder cancer spreads
This study is looking at how bladder cancer spreads in the body, especially in patients with advanced stages of the disease, using special mouse models to find out what causes this spread and to discover new treatments that might help.
-
Lymph node metastasis and immune tolerance in head and neck cancer
A study in people with head and neck cancer looks at how cancer spread to lymph nodes may shape the immune system and help tumors grow.
-
Targeting how RMS cells fail to mature to slow or stop pediatric muscle cancer spread
A project to understand why a pediatric muscle cancer called rhabdomyosarcoma spreads, and to test ideas that could slow or stop it by helping cancer cells mature properly.
-
Centers studying how cancer spreads through the body
A multi-institutional project at Rockefeller University is exploring how nerves, blood vessels, lymphatics, immune cells, and metabolites influence the spread of cancer to help identify new ways to stop metastasis.
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.