Investigating how cell adhesion proteins affect cancer cell movement

Mechanosensitive cadherin adhesion and its regulation

NIH-funded research University of California at Davis · NIH-10768604

This study is looking at how a protein called E-cadherin helps cells stick together and move, which is important for both forming healthy tissue and understanding how cancer spreads, so that patients can gain insights into cancer and possible new treatments.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of California at Davis NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Davis, United States)
Project IDNIH-10768604 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on understanding the role of E-cadherin, a key protein that helps cells stick together, in the movement of cells during tissue formation and cancer spread. The researchers will explore how different proteins interact with E-cadherin to regulate its function and how mutations in E-cadherin can disrupt this process in cancer. By studying these mechanisms, the research aims to provide insights into how collective cell migration occurs and how it can be influenced in cancerous conditions. Patients may benefit from a better understanding of cancer metastasis and potential new therapeutic targets.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are patients with cancers characterized by dysregulated cell adhesion and collective cell migration.

Not a fit: Patients with non-malignant conditions or those whose cancers do not involve E-cadherin dysregulation may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for preventing or treating cancer metastasis.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown that understanding cell adhesion mechanisms can lead to significant advancements in cancer treatment, indicating that this approach has potential for success.

Where this research is happening

Davis, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions Cancersneoplasm/cancer
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.