Microtentacles on detached breast cancer cells
Tubulin microtentacles in detached mammary epithelial cells
This work looks at whether blocking tiny tubulin-based 'microtentacles' on detached breast cancer cells can stop them from clumping and reattaching during spread.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Maryland Baltimore NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11210459 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
The team studies how floating breast cancer cells form tubulin microtentacles that help them stick and seed new tumors. They will use drugs that alter the cell cortex and calcium signaling, measure cell mechanics with advanced imaging (Brillouin microscopy and atomic force microscopy), and watch how microtentacles change. Promising drugs will be tested for effects on cell reattachment in zebrafish and mouse models and on live patient tumor cells. The goal is to find interventions that reduce circulating tumor cell clustering and reattachment.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Patients with breast cancer—particularly those with tumors at higher risk of spreading or with detectable circulating tumor cells—would be most relevant to this work.
Not a fit: People with cancers unrelated to breast tissue or patients whose disease is already well controlled are less likely to benefit directly from this specific research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could lower the chance of breast cancer metastasis by preventing circulating tumor cells from clustering and reattaching.
How similar studies have performed: Prior lab and animal studies showed microtentacles help circulating tumor cells stick and seed metastases, but targeting them with the proposed kinase or TRPM8 pathway drugs in patient-derived cells is largely novel.
Where this research is happening
Baltimore, United States
- University of Maryland Baltimore — Baltimore, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Martin, Stuart S — University of Maryland Baltimore
- Study coordinator: Martin, Stuart S
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.