Mapping how cells and tissues around breast tumors influence cancer spread
Project 2: Cellular topography and function of the breast cancer tissue microenvironment
This project maps where tumor cells, immune cells, and the surrounding proteins and sugars sit in breast tumors to better understand how cancer spreads.
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-11178564 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you have breast cancer, researchers will analyze pieces of your tumor and nearby tissue using high-resolution imaging and mass spectrometry to map where different cells, proteins, and sugar-modified proteins are located. They will apply spatial transcriptomics together with MIBI-TOF and MALDI on serial tissue sections so the same tissue areas are measured for RNA, proteins, and glycans. Combining these datasets will let them see which stromal cells, immune cells, and extracellular matrix components align with tumor behavior. The goal is to find patterns that predict or drive metastasis and point to possible treatment targets.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with breast cancer who are undergoing surgery or biopsy and are willing to donate tumor tissue for research.
Not a fit: People without breast cancer, those who cannot or will not donate tissue, or those seeking immediate personal treatment benefit are unlikely to benefit directly from this grant.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal new biomarkers or targets to help prevent or treat breast cancer spread.
How similar studies have performed: Prior single-cell and spatial mapping studies have improved understanding of tumor microenvironments, but combining glycan-focused proteomics with MIBI-TOF and MALDI on the same tissue is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
Stanford, United States
- Stanford University — Stanford, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Angelo, Robert Michael — Stanford University
- Study coordinator: Angelo, Robert Michael
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.