Investigating how prostate cancer cells change in response to treatment
Microfluidic isolation and molecular analysis of circulating tumor cells for the study of neuroendocrine transdifferentiation in prostate cancer
This study is looking at how prostate cancer cells can become more aggressive after treatment, and it’s for patients who want to understand their cancer better; researchers will use a special device to check for changes in cancer cells from your blood, so you won’t need to go through painful biopsies as often.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts General Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11061351 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding how prostate cancer cells can change into a more aggressive form after treatment with androgen receptor-targeted therapies. Using a novel microfluidic chip, researchers will isolate circulating tumor cells from patients' blood, allowing for non-invasive monitoring of these changes over time. By comparing these cells to traditional tumor biopsies, the study aims to uncover the molecular factors that drive this transformation and its implications for patient care. This approach offers a real-time look at cancer progression without the need for repeated invasive procedures.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are prostate cancer patients undergoing treatment with androgen receptor-targeted therapies.
Not a fit: Patients with non-prostate cancers or those not receiving androgen receptor-targeted therapies may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better monitoring and treatment strategies for prostate cancer patients experiencing aggressive disease changes.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promise in using circulating tumor cells for monitoring cancer progression, suggesting that this approach may yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Massachusetts General Hospital — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Toner, Mehmet — Massachusetts General Hospital
- Study coordinator: Toner, Mehmet
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.