NIH-funded research Fellowship grant

Investigating how collagen signaling affects protein production in bladder cancer metastasis

Official title: The non-canonical Collagen I-DDR1 signaling regulating protein synthesis during metastasis

Funded at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center · NIH-10997301 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is looking at how the surrounding environment of bladder cancer cells, especially a protein called collagen, affects how these cells make proteins when they are under stress, which could help us find new ways to stop the cancer from spreading.

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Quick facts

Grant typeFellowship grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionCedars-Sinai Medical Center
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Los Angeles, United States)
Project startDecember 22, 2023
Project endDecember 21, 2026
Funding year2025
Award (this year)$41,294
NIH project number5F31CA278582-02
Project IDNIH-10997301 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with bladder cancer, particularly those experiencing advanced stages of the disease.

Less likely to help

Patients with non-cancerous conditions or those with early-stage bladder cancer may not receive direct benefits from this research.

What this research studies

This research focuses on understanding how the tumor microenvironment, particularly collagen signaling, influences protein synthesis in bladder cancer cells during metastasis. The study aims to explore two specific mechanisms by which collagen interacts with Discoidin Domain Receptor 1 (DDR1) to regulate protein production, especially under nutrient-deprived conditions. By examining these processes, the research seeks to uncover how cancer cells adapt to survive and spread, potentially leading to new therapeutic strategies. Patients may benefit from insights gained about how to target these signaling pathways to inhibit cancer progression.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments that prevent bladder cancer from spreading by targeting the mechanisms of protein synthesis regulation.

How similar studies have gone: While the specific mechanisms being investigated are novel, previous studies have shown success in targeting similar signaling pathways in cancer treatment.

Where this research is happening

  • Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
    Los Angeles, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Alonzo, Mark E. — Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
  • Study coordinator: Alonzo, Mark E.

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

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.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 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.