Investigating how cancer cells respond to mechanical forces in the bloodstream
Enabling Technology to Study Mechanosensitive and Mechanoresistant Cancer Cells in Flow
This study is looking at how cancer cells react to the forces of blood flow, trying to find out why some of them can survive even when faced with tough conditions, which could help us understand how cancer spreads in the body.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Rice University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11138871 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding how cancer cells behave when exposed to mechanical forces, specifically in the blood flow environment. By applying shear stress to cancer cells, the study aims to observe their responses and identify mechanisms that allow some cancer cells to survive despite these stresses. The researchers will create specialized cancer cell lines that can withstand high levels of shear stress and analyze their characteristics. This work could provide insights into how circulating tumor cells contribute to cancer progression and metastasis.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are patients with prostate cancer who have circulating tumor cells in their blood.
Not a fit: Patients with non-cancerous conditions or those without circulating tumor cells may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for targeting and treating metastatic cancer.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding cancer cell behavior under mechanical stress, indicating that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
Houston, United States
- Rice University — Houston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: King, Michael R. — Rice University
- Study coordinator: King, Michael R.
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.