Measuring and changing how tumors use energy
Measuring and manipulating metabolic fluxes in the tumor microenvironment
['FUNDING_OTHER'] · UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA · NIH-11163281
This work will track and alter how breast tumors and nearby immune cells burn fuel to look for ways to slow tumor growth and boost chemotherapy effects.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_OTHER'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (PHILADELPHIA, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11163281 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
If you have breast cancer, researchers will use safe, labeled tracers in living tumors (in animal models) to map two main energy pathways called glycolysis and the TCA cycle. They will separate cancer cells from immune and support cells to see which cell types use which fuels inside tumors. Building on early mouse findings that a high-fat ketogenic diet raised TCA activity and slowed tumors when combined with chemo, they will test ways to raise tumor TCA flux to slow growth. The work is lab-based and focused on understanding tumor and immune cell metabolism to point toward new metabolism-targeting treatments.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Future clinical trials based on this work would most likely involve people with breast cancer, particularly those receiving chemotherapy.
Not a fit: People without cancer or those with cancers that do not rely on the same metabolic pathways may not benefit directly from these findings.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could point to new metabolism-based approaches that slow breast tumors or make existing chemotherapy work better.
How similar studies have performed: Previous mouse studies, including the investigator's prior work, showed that increasing tumor TCA flux (for example with a ketogenic diet) slowed tumor growth alongside chemotherapy, but human data are very limited.
Where this research is happening
PHILADELPHIA, UNITED STATES
- UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA — PHILADELPHIA, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: BARTMAN, CAROLINE — UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA
- Study coordinator: BARTMAN, CAROLINE
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.
Conditions: Breast Cancer Model, Breast Cancer cell line, Burn injury