PLOD2 and succinate: a metabolic switch that fuels breast cancer spread
Official title: The PLOD2/succinate axis in regulating cancer cell plasticity and stemness
Funded at Univ of Arkansas for Med Scis · NIH-11479854 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A cancer research project is exploring how a metabolic change involving succinate and a key enzyme (PLOD2) may drive breast cancer cells to become more invasive and able to spread.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of Arkansas for Med Scis NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Little Rock, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2023 |
| Project end | December 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $336,442 |
| NIH project number | 7R01CA274981-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11479854 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with triple-negative breast cancer or other cancers where EMT and PLOD2/succinate pathways are active.
✕Less likely to help
Patients whose tumors do not rely on EMT or the PLOD2/succinate axis may see limited relevance.
What this research studies
This NIH grant studies how breast cancer cells, especially triple-negative breast cancer, change their metabolism to become more stem-like and able to metastasize. It focuses on how the molecule succinate and the enzyme PLOD2 influence EMT, cell plasticity, and DNA regulation in cancer cells. Using genetic and pharmacologic approaches, the research investigates how altering PLOD2 levels affects metastasis and colonization in experimental models. The findings could reveal new points to intervene to prevent cancer spread and improve outcomes for patients with aggressive breast cancer.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could identify new targets to limit metastasis and improve survival for patients with aggressive breast cancer.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work has linked succinate and EMT to cancer progression, suggesting potential for translating these insights into treatments, though further validation is needed.
Where this research is happening
-
Univ of Arkansas for Med Scis
Little Rock, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Xu, Ren — Univ of Arkansas for Med Scis
- Study coordinator: Xu, Ren
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.