Lymph node changes that let cancers spread
Project 2 Human Tumor Analysis
This project looks for changes in lymph nodes and tumors that let head-and-neck and certain lung cancers spread.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Stanford University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Stanford, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11176384 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you have head-and-neck cancer or lung adenocarcinoma, researchers will analyze tumor and nearby lymph node tissue from patients like you using detailed imaging and single-cell gene tests to map which cells are interacting. They will compare lymph nodes that contain cancer with uninvolved nodes to find patterns that make nodes 'tolerant' to cancer. Lab-grown human organoids and mouse models will be used to test how those cell interactions cause spread. The team aims to find markers and targets that could help predict or block metastasis.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are people with head-and-neck squamous cell carcinoma or lung adenocarcinoma who can provide tumor and/or lymph node tissue during surgery or biopsy.
Not a fit: People without these cancer types or who cannot provide tissue samples are unlikely to benefit directly from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal markers or drug targets to predict, prevent, or better treat cancer spread.
How similar studies have performed: Prior studies of tumor microenvironments have suggested that lymph node biology affects metastasis, but this spatial single-cell approach is relatively new and aims to pinpoint specific actionable changes.
Where this research is happening
Stanford, United States
- Stanford University — Stanford, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Plevritis, Sylvia Katina — Stanford University
- Study coordinator: Plevritis, Sylvia Katina
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.